New Furniture Store Moving into Peabody's Space

More than a year after Peabody's Interiors moved from Whitefish Bay to Brown Deer, a new home furnishing company has set its sights on the space with the hope of moving in by January.

Honquest Furniture for Living will sell furniture, rugs, mattress sets and other home accessories. The company, which is more than 50 years old, has a store in Barrington, IL, and an outlet store in Deerfield, IL.

Lori Stengren, the company's vice president of sales, said she became familiar with Whitefish Bay because her friends moved here about 15 years ago. She said she became familiar with the owners of Peabody's and wanted to move in to their old space, which she said will meet their needs perfectly.

"We were looking for another location, and we felt that area north of Milwaukee really is lacking a home furnishing store that is not a designer studio but can offer a variety of options to the consumer," Stengren said. “We really see a need for something that is between big box and designer studio.”

The business plans to occupy 9,100 square feet of the first floor of the building at 121-133 E. Silver Spring Dr. The remainder of the first floor is occupied at Home Care Assistance. Honquest will also utilize 3,000 square feet of space on the lower level of the building.

The business’ expected hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The business will go before the Plan Commission Oct. 18 to receive a conditional use permit, and later, it will go before the Architectural Review Commission for a sign permit. Stengren said the business hopes to open its doors in January.

Whitefish Bay Business Improvement District Chairman John Stuhlmacher said the business is a welcome addition to the street.

“I think it’s great that it’s being used as a higher end furniture store,” he said. “It’s something we’ve been lacking, and I think it will be a great addition to the street.”