Hanson Opens Home D?cor Store

Arkansas Home Outfitters opened its doors Sept. 2 and held a grand opening Oct. 18.
Klane Hanson, owner, has yet to advertise, just relying on word of mouth and his store’s high-traffic location on North School Street, just off Dickson Street.
“I’ve noticed a definite increase in the number of customers, especially the last two or three weeks,” he said.
Hanson sees 20 to 30 customers a day. Many are walking or driving by and just have to stop in to see the store.
Arkansas Home Outfitters sells home décor and furniture, including brand names such as J.W. Pike Ltd. He mixes traditional furnishings, and those with an outdoor and northwest theme. The store also offers art, including that of a local artist.
“I’m hoping I have a broader audience than most home stores in the area,” Hanson said.
It took Hanson six months to prepare the space for the new store, which was last occupied by Ozark Mountain Sports. Timothy Klinger, a Fayetteville lawyer, owns the nearly 100-year-old brick building. Klinger spent about $200,000 renovating the building.
While he has been focused on opening the store, Hanson has plans for expansion. He is working on building a fenced-in patio area behind the store. The area would allow him room to showcase furniture that can’t fit into the 1,160-SF building. He also wants to build a stairway to the roof, where a deck could offer patrons a scenic view of Dickson Street.
Hanson also has a 9,000-SF building in Jonesboro, and hopes to open a second location in the near future.
He admitted opening a business was stressful, often resulting in lost sleep, but finds it rewarding.
“It’s the first thing I’ve felt passionate about as a job,” Hanson said. “I thought if I feel like that, it can’t be wrong.”