Affordability Grabs a Seat

Brian Stoll
Oct 14, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Affordable Furniture and Treasures offers items so you can change the look of your home

By Sherri Edwards · Photos by Eileen Meslar

Originally published in BizTimes.biz, Dubuque, Iowa – March 2020

A search for the right cherry nightstand led Linda Culbertson to Affordable Furniture and Treasures in Dubuque. Now she is a long-term customer who always finds something special at this unique and locally owned furniture store.

Culbertson and her husband had moved into a condo. “Naturally, our furniture didn’t work exactly as it did in our old home,” she said. “At my first visit to the store, I met Lois and Gary. We hit off right away … and I was thrilled with all the good-looking furniture they had to offer.”

Gary Higgins is Affordable Furniture’s owner, and his store specializes in new and slightly used furniture plus home accessories. As the main purchaser, too, Higgins acquires inventory from estates and liquidation sales. His goal is to keep cost reasonable and quality high for his customers.

“There are prices and styles for every budget and some very nice antique pieces, too,” Culbertson said. “I’m especially attracted to round tables, something different, solid-piece furniture. They had a nice-looking oak table I found for an entry table.”

Unusual furniture not available elsewhere is what Affordable Furniture aims to offer. The business’ path from concept to store has happened quickly.

Higgins had the benefit of his professional life in farming and residential construction work. After he met Lois Thurston, now his fiancée, he moved from Independence, Iowa, to Dubuque. She raised the idea of starting a business.

The couple were holding a garage sale at Thurston’s mother’s home, Higgins said. “Seeing Lois in action cleaning and restoring furniture … and customers being so responsive … I realized she really enjoyed it and with the customer, really inspired me,” he said.

In no time, Affordable Furniture was born. It wasn’t a tiny upstart operation — they moved into good-sized furniture. Word-of-mouth referrals began bringing more customers in the door.

“Lois and I both were holding down full-time jobs, and this was just supposed to be an extra form of income,” he said. “But it went into a different direction and ended up consuming most of my time,” said Higgins. “I started telling Lois that it was time to open a store and think big.”

In a span of a year, Higgins and Thurston quit their jobs and moved Affordable Furniture into retail space in the Plaza 20 shopping center. It was a calculated risk based on customer interest and growth potential shown by past sales made at home.

Like with many new businesses, Higgins said there were also sleepless nights. They had to work at maintaining confidence developing the business plan, which included advanced advertising beyond customer referrals.

“Our customer service, affordability, and quality take our message far — but continuous branding and advertising through print and web is essential,” Higgins said.

During Culbertson’s condo redecorating, she said Affordable Furniture was one of the few local stores offering new and used choices. She remains a big fan. When Higgins posts his latest finds on Facebook, Culbertson eagerly views them and often shares with others.

To select the inventory, Higgins said, “Quality is the most important rule we stand by. A lot of furniture today is made of man-made pressed wood, particle board, cardboard, glue and staples, yet the price for this poor quality has skyrocketed to the customer from the big box stores.”

Affordable Furniture’s inventory features products made from solid wood and other quality materials. The selection includes furniture for all rooms in the house, including chairs, sofas, end tables, entertainment centers, china cabinets, desks, bookshelves and bedroom sets.

Customers come from throughout the tri-states and beyond, including Madison, Wisconsin; Rock Island, Illinois; and Burlington, Iowa. Higgins and Thurston get to know many of them and count customers as friends.

The business remains family-operated and has seven employees. Higgins is involved in most aspects of the business, including delivery to customers. Thurston manages sales, design and merchandising.

“She enjoys display, arranging and coordinating inventory … and is the key to running a customer service that keeps customers returning week after week,” he said. “Our team work has made the business very successful,” said Higgins.

Since opening, Affordable Furniture has sourced some distinctive pieces to sell — including a well-crafted driftwood sofa table and a Thomas Edison phonograph dated in the 1800s.

“Inventory is always changing. Lois does an awesome job going over every piece to be sure it’s clean and in good condition,” said Culbertson. Recently, she purchased a ram statue that reminded her of high school at Dubuque Senior, and her husband bought a vintage magazine rack to add to their books.

The growing inventory and customer interest prompted Affordable Furniture to move in 2019 just across their parking lot into a space about four times the size of their initial spot. They plan to continue adding inventory to meet customer needs.

“The demand for quality furniture is overwhelming,” Higgins said. “It is a super great feeling when we know what we’re doing helps (customers) with their needs. It’s a joy that keeps us moving forward.”