We know... Covid gets blamed for everything that is wrong these days, but perhaps in some cases there is a justifiable reason for some things not being available due to the strains of life under the Covid shut downs. One such case is the lack (or delays) of getting furniture and appliance choices and prompt deliveries due to their lack of availability from the factories.
Having just moved out of a 440 square foot 40ft diesel pusher motorhome (which had all furniture and appliances attached to it), and bought a 2,560 square foot house in western Wyoming, we have needed to get a lot of furniture and appliances. We had some furniture from our last Casita in Benson AZ, which thankfully Mary talked me into not selling when we sold our 576 square foot Casita (our winter residence), but still we need a lot of furniture and some updated appliances. The new house came with a stove, dishwasher, refrigerator and a small microwave, plus a washer/dryer, but given that it is a 25 year old house, these were sort of out-dated. So, she decided that we would keep the existing appliances, but wanted to get a bigger microwave, as well as an additional 20 cu. ft. 'garage ready', upright freezer to keep in the garage (for extra 'winter' and 'hunting' meat storage, able to stand up to the cold of of a Wyoming winter even in a garage).
However, we went to Lowe's and Home Depot, as well as many other local appliances and furniture stores, and everyone seemed to have nothing available (other than their display floor-models). At Furniture Row in Idaho Falls ID, we were able to order the furniture, though wait times for their availability and delivery has been anywhere from 6-16 weeks.
Then, not one to give up that easily, Mary found a place Nielson's Furniture and Appliances (online) in Kemmerer WY (about 120 miles from our location) and sent them a Messenger inquiry to see what the actual availability (or wait times) they had for appliances, Within minutes she heard back from David Nielson, the owner. Dave Nielson, told her that he had lots of appliances available to go right away. Needless to say, we were blown away by this news, given our experience everywhere else. Kemmerer was a bit of a drive away, but then again in Wyoming, 'next door' could be 20-30 miles away, so one gets used to driving longer distances to get to the best destinations. Also, one doesn't mind longer drives out in the country, because 1) there is very little traffic on the roadways, and 2) the scenery is always B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. One also takes these longer drives to go to other places where one can get other things that may be needed... like a trip to the hardware store, a visit to Popeye's Chicken, or Papa Murphy's (if it's a Tuesday or Friday), or lunch at Culver's, etc.
Kemmerer WY is a small city in Lincoln County at an elevation of 6,949 feet, which covers an area of 7,807 sq. mi. and has a population of 2,747 (2019), which is the largest city in Lincoln County and the count seat. Like Star Valley Ranch, their sales tax is only 5.0%, (Wyoming 4.0%, plus Lincoln County 1.0%), which compares with Idaho cities between 6.0% and 6,5%) and Wyoming has no income tax. However, Kemmerer also boasts other points of interest. The original JC Penney store (1902) was and remains in Kemmerer, and still operates with a reduced stock, as well as having the JC Penney Museum and Homestead. JC, by the way was representative of the original owner and founder's name... J.C. Penney... James Cash Penney Jr. (September 16, 1875 - February 12, 1971. The history and biography of JC Penney Jr. is inspiring and can be found at https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org. In Kemmerer there is also Fossil Butte (nearby) and the Fossil Country Frontier Museum.
So yesterday, Monday 07/19/2021, we drove the 240 miles RT to go visit Kemmerer and Nielson's Furniture & Appliances store. The scenery down to Kemmerer, as well as little known secret store are both A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !
On getting to Kemmerer, having spotted no wildlife all the way there, we were finally treated to two young bucks crossing the roadway.
Arriving at Neilson's in Kemmerer, WY
A nice 'Welcome' sign at the entrance to the store. IF you visit it, don't stand around in the doorway, because there is a motion sensor that dings a tone to announce someone's arrival, but if you hang out at the doorway, the dinging doesn't stop... Ding, ding, ding, ding...
Next to the appliances there is every imaginable appliance accessories and parts display.
And next to the plumbing section is a bicycle and bicycle accessory section. That is all on the lower (basement) floor.
So, after picking out a Whirlpool 19.6 cu ft upright freezer, which sells for $999 at Nielson's (and is available right away), and by comparison sells for the same $999 at Lowe's (no price difference), we took a tour of the rest of the store (two more floors), which is much more than just 'furniture' and 'appliances'. They are also a Radio Shack dealer and stock just about anything else you can imagine. Everything from batteries, lawn and garden decor and machines, holiday decorations, bicycles, plumbing accessories, televisions, toys, etc., etc., etc. Just check it all out in the many photographs which shows the vastness of their offerings.
Imagine that... no price difference than at a big box store. The only difference is that there is availability at Nielson's... AND NOT at Lowe's or Home Depot. And for just $75 Neilson's will deliver your purchases, even in Star Valley Ranch (118 miles away);then unload it and install it wherever you want it. PLUS, we get to contribute closer to our local community. This is like one of those big antique stores that one can spend all day just browsing the merchandise, only here it is ALL NEW, all at ONE LOCATION and all quality products with name brands. A lot of the furniture is actually marked "Ashley Furniture", even though it is not a factory -owned Ashley store.
Another unique aspect are the vast amounts of the wildlife mounts, which abound throughout the store, hanging on the upper walls and displayed with professional and very detailed, artistic taxidermy. Worthy of note is that these animals were hunted mostly by David and David's family, true hunters.
Ok, so you can see how much different inventory there is in this business. As I said this is a family-owned business. The Owner is David Nielsen, who owns and manages the store on weekends, because he also has a full-time job with the State of Wyoming. His daughter, Samantha, who is a real cutie and reminds me of my grand-daughter, Kayla, manages the store during the week. So we hear tell, 'Grandma' manages the inventory, and does it the old-fashioned way, because she doesn't like computers. One has to give Grandma credit for managing such a vast inventory, without a computer, and this whole family for the great job they do with this business. They also have at least 5-6 other employees, who help in the huge showroom and work in the warehouse, assembling products and delivering them. The girls in the showroom are all thin, no doubt a result of having to go up and down the three floors of the store.
As I said previously, they are also a Radio Shack dealer, and have a vast selection of electronics, including the latest smart TVs.
Below is the beginning of the warehouse where the assembling is done, but the main warehouse is huge and despite their vast availability of appliances in their showroom (unheard of with most big-box stores), David told us that not only does he have the 3-4 other freezers (like the one we picked) in the showroom, but also has about 10 more available in the main warehouse. The only thing they didn't have available (new, in the box) was the 1.7 cu. ft. 1100 watt microwave, but they offered to either let us take their showroom model, or they could get us one in about 1-2 weeks, which they could deliver together with the freezer. They are very accomodating.
Here are some of their Holiday Decorations, for Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, etc.
Below is the lovely Samantha, David's daughter and very capable weekday Manager.
Some of the taxidermy mounts. Elk (above) and Bears (below).
Rustic furniture, but actually it is from Ashley Furniture, in different colors and decor.
We also liked the desk in the background, that raises the top so that one can work standing, and has outlets on the table-top. And OMG! is that a 14-point buck in the background?
This pair of mountain lions was a favorite, not only to us, but to everyone we show the photo to. And just look at all the points on those racks (on the wall)
The Dining Room area of the showroom (3rd Level).
The Living Room area.
One view of the storefront (from inside) on the 2nd Level (at street).
Battery center in the Radio Shack area.
The bicycle and bicycle accessories area in Basement Level, next to the Appliances and appliance accessories and parts.
More assorted decor items on the second (street) level... and a huge Bison mount at the register....
All framed art is on Sale (50%) at time of our visit.
Below: Mary checking out with Samantha at the register and Bison overhead.
They even have portable air-conditioners. With the heat in Star Valley Ranch, we are even thinking of getting a 250 sq ft coverage/6,000btu one, for the 3rd floor.
Leaving, sorry to go, but looking forward to returning sometime in the future. Visiting the store is always fun and the people there are very friendly. Maybe next time we'll even visit the JC Penny store, home and museum, and check out the ACE Hardware, and Ridley's supermarket, too.
Nielson's Furniture & Appliances is located at the corner of Pine Ave (the main street, Alt 30) and Emerald Street, on one end and JC Penny Drive, on the other.
Around the corner, on Emerald St, there is this old Army truck, displaying a promotional banner with their name on it.
Then going around the corner of the rear alley
Above, the alley to the back of Neilson's, and below their delivery truck.
At the next corner is the JC Penney store, home and museum...
And across the street is the Flanders ACE Hardware store.
Mural around the corner of the Ace Hardware store.
Flanders ACE Hardware at 709 Pine Ave. has been a family owned business for over 30 years with 4 generations having work in it. Though Kemmerer is the largest city in Lincoln County and the county seat, it is still in a rural area and sights like this are common. Some drive trucks with many horses (power), and others manage with just a single horse.
And down the street, the Fossil Gallery...
Leaving Neilson's and Kemmerer...
Passing Ridley's supermarket...
and Family Dollar...
and the South Lincoln (county) Cemetery...
And below some of the views of the trip back to Star Valley Ranch...
Lander's Cut Scenic Pullout...
Well, we hope you have enjoyed following us on this trip to Kemmerer and if you find yourself in the Kemmerer area, we can highly recommend viisiting it, as well as calling in on Neilson's Furniture and Appliances and Radio Shack, at 718 Pine Avenue. Ask for Dave or Samantha, both who will be glad to help you find whatever furniture item, appliance or other item you may need. And for information you can call them at (307) 877-4404... OR contact them online with a MESSAGE at:
