Johnston Casuals Furniture Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Furniture World News Desk on 10/13/2021

Johnston Casuals Furniture and owner and founder, Joe Johnston, announces the celebration its 40th year in production October 16-19, 2021, at its High Point Market showroom found at 220 S. Elm Street, Building Space 330. 

Known for their hand-crafted, contemporary, metal furniture, as well as their ability to make modifications according to their customers’ needs, Johnston Casuals is the only remaining furniture manufacturer in Wilkes County. 

During the celebration, Johnston Casuals will be offering free specialty coffee on Sunday and displaying their most popular chairs throughout the years. They will also reveal an exclusive 40th-anniversary logo and screen a short video on the history of Johnston Casuals, with behind-the-scenes glimpses and commentary. 

Come learn the humble beginnings of Joe Johnston’s grandfather, Andrew Blaine (Dick) Johnston, who began his factory work at Turner-White Casket Company. Learn how he eventually learned the skills to start a residential wood bedroom furniture company, American Furniture Company, in 1927. Also, learn about how along with his son, Richard Johnston, they would go on to form American-Drew, a national leader in bedroom and dining room furniture sales in the 20th century.

After post-college work at American-Drew as a production manufacturing manager, Joe left to begin Johnston Casuals and build it into what it is today: a people-oriented, locally loved business known for treating its employees well and customers with care.  

Joe Johnston, third-generation furniture maker and owner of Johnston Casuals, states: “We make furniture. We make it the old-fashioned way. We make it by hand. We’ve got a few pieces of equipment - we have a laser cutter. Most everything else is done by hand, so it’s a very people-oriented business.” 

The care and involvement of the employees are integral to Johnston Casuals’ success. As Debbie Johnston says, “We have a lot of employees that care about the company… We’re not just workers and employers; we’re more like a big family.”

Owner Joe Johnston hopes to incorporate new ideas to grow and expand the business as time moves forward, all the while employing the same people.  

According to one of Johnston Casuals’ many tenured employees, “The 40th anniversary of Johnston Casuals means we must be doing something right.”

Known for their hand-crafted, contemporary, metal furniture, as well as their ability to make modifications according to their customers’ needs, Johnston Casuals is the only remaining furniture manufacturer in Wilkes County.  American handcrafted contemporary furniture for over 40 years. For more information, visit johnstoncasuals.com.