Fint, I knew you grew up fairly close to here, and that's why I mentioned some of the places I did. Don't despair...when you move to VA, this area is still "good" (but maybe not up to Tabs' level). Many high-end furniture retailers from around the world still come twice a year to select, then place orders for filling their stores. I don't know what you'd be interested in, but many of the "showrooms" are liquidated for pennies on the dollar immediately after the spring and fall markets...got to be Flinty-on-the-spot to take advantage though. High end stuff has a rediculous markup for most stores (like 4 times), so you can always get approx 50% off at places like Furniturelandsouth, etc. Shoot me a PM if you ever get to that point, and I'll be glad to assist if I can. I don't know squat about furniture like I'm sure Tabs does (and he does know his rugs, spoons, BBQ and such
), but I was smart enough to buy Henredon case goods and D-H upholstered stuff (at employee rates) for 1/5 of retail. My parents' house is filled with 50 year old Henredon case goods...still like new, and will last another 50 easy.
ps: It's the manufactoring base that has disappeared...
pps: edited: Whew...I saw 6:30 approaching and was typing fast to get that post in