City Furniture makes grand entrance into Sarasota market

Lakewood Ranch's Michael and Gina Bohn were trying to decide which of the mattresses being sold at City Furniture would be just right for them.

So they climbed up on a mattress to give it a try.

Testing was going to take some time as there were 83 mattresses on display.

"Massive," is the word Michael Bohn used to describe the choices at City Furniture, which held its grand opening and ribbon cutting at University Town Center's east district July 17.

Although the 120,000 showroom has had a soft opening for approximately three weeks, it is now full-speed ahead.

"How beautiful is this store?" City Furniture CEO Andrew Koenig asked as a crowd gathered for the ribbon-cutting. "I am blown away.

"How amazing is this city? The reaction has been beyond our expectations. In our soft opening the last three weeks, we have crushed our forecast."

Approximately 130 people lined up the morning of July 17 to be ready for the doors to open at 10 a.m. Everyone in line received a $100 rewards card for the store. Other giveaways will continue through July 20.

Many of those visiting the chain store for the first time took advantage of the The KC Cafe and Wine Bar so they could sip and shop. The UTC store is the chain's 25th in Florida.

Koenig’s father, Keith Koenig, and his uncle, Kevin Koenig, opened the first showroom at Waterbed City in 1971. The store changed its name to City Furniture in 1994.