If a 50-year-old piece of furniture is considered an antique, a 50-year-old business like Hamm’s Furniture should be considered a Pekin institution. From a historic 125-year-old building on Court Street across from the Tazewell County Courthouse, Hamm’s is celebrating five decades in business this year by continuing a tradition of quality and service that has never gone out of style.

Russ Hamm is the current proprietor of Hamm’s Furniture at 347-351 Court St., but he is quick to give credit to family members for laying the foundation for long-term success. They include his father, Alvin; mother, Edith; brother-in-law, Jesse Workman; and sister, Charlene Harbor. Before striking out on their own, all four worked in various capacities at Fredman Brothers Furniture in Pekin in the early 1970s.

Alvin and Jesse started selling used furniture from the family’s garage on Henrietta Street, calling it Trade Mart Furniture. They later moved to 10th and Derby Street, then occupied two addresses on Court Street before landing at the current address. The name was changed to Hamm’s Furniture in 1990 as the focus moved to new home furnishings and accessories. 

Built in the 1890s, the property was known for decades as Steinmetz and Company, a clothing and dry goods store, and later McLellan’s Department Store. Alvin acquired an empty building with a leaky roof, substandard wiring, and faulty plumbing, and proceeded to renovate 16,000 sq. ft. of space on the main floor and the basement into a modern furniture showroom.

Working with the city, Hamm’s took advantage of a downtown TIF district. One of the most visible recent improvements was new exterior painting in 2020.

“We overcame a lot of adversity, but in the end, we have made this building a centerpiece for downtown Pekin,” Hamm says. Russ is proud to be a part of downtown Pekin and honored by the opportunity to preserve such a beautiful example of turn-of-the-century architecture.

“They built a lot of beautiful buildings back in the day,” Russ says, then contrasts it with modern construction. “They didn’t just put up a square box and put a roof on it. They had style.”

Russ Hamm has been a part of the family business since he was about 12 years old. When he was not delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, or shoveling snow, he was cleaning up used furniture for his dad. As he got older, he advanced to delivery and has been involved in every aspect of the business since. After his brother-in-law passed away and his sister retired in 2020, he and two delivery men now make up the entire payroll. The small crew has its advantages.

“Every customer who walks in the door gets me whether they like it or not,” laughs Russ. “I’m able to give them the personal attention they deserve. And people can’t say enough about our delivery men.”

Growing up in Pekin, Russ remembers a bustling downtown with everything a shopper could want — clothing, furniture, stationery, appliances, dime stores, you name it. The local economy was strong but heavily dependent on Caterpillar, so when the yellow giant hit a rough spot or was out on strike, it was felt by downtown retailers. He said things changed even more dramatically and permanently when the Pekin Mall opened on the east edge of town. Shoppers started abandoning downtown retailers, not just in Pekin, but all across the country. Hamm’s has survived in spite of that change and the more recent advent of online buying.

“We have been able to build up a clientele and built people’s trust,” Russ says. “That’s one reason why a small business like ours has been able to survive all these years.”

Downtown Pekin is currently experiencing a revival, with restaurants, a theater, coffee shops and other retailers bringing new life to once vacant and decaying buildings. Pekin Main Street and the Pekin Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to support downtown small businesses with concerts, special events, and other activities that draw people downtown.

“I don’t know that downtown will ever be like it was before, but it has come a long way in the past several years,” says Russ. “I’m very positive on Pekin.”

Russ has also witnessed changes in how and where people buy furniture, but he is confident that there will always be a place for a brick-and-mortar furniture store.

“Certain people won’t buy a piece of furniture unless they can go in and sit on a couch and know exactly what they’re getting,” he says. “Plus, when you order something online, you can’t get the service we offer.”

Most Hamm’s customers are from Pekin and surrounding communities. Russ says they keep coming back for quality, affordability, and convenience. He admits that they may not have the biggest selection, but believes there is something in his offerings for all tastes and budgets. Brands on the showroom floor include Ashley, Best Home Furnishings, and Therapedic Bedding. In-stock inventory includes sofas, love seats, occasional tables, lamps, bedroom furniture, and casual dinette sets, along with lift chairs, power recliners, and other motion furniture. He says he is proud to support American companies whenever possible — Best Home Furnishings has manufacturing in Indiana, and Therapedic Bedding is made in Rock Island, IL.

Special orders are delivered in five weeks or less. Regular delivery in Pekin is free on purchases of $500 or more and removal of old furniture is available. There is also a reasonable fee for deliveries within 50 miles.

Hamm’s will be celebrating its 50th anniversary all year, with a new television commercial debuting soon to thank the community and bring everyone into the celebration. As the furniture store begins its second 50 years, furniture shoppers can expect to still see Russ unlocking the front door every morning and helping customers choose the right furniture for their home. He says retirement is nowhere in sight.

“I plan to keep going strong as long as I am able to,” he says.

Hamm’s Furniture is open daily from 9am to 5pm, Saturdays from 10am to 3pm and closed on Sundays. Stay in touch with sales and special offers at www.hammsfurniturepekin.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/hammsfurniture. Or a phone call is always welcome: 309-346-0875.

For more on the historic Hamm’s Furniture building, check out this article on the Pekin Public Library website: www.pekinpubliclibrary.org/the-history-of-the-hamms-building-347-351-court-st-formerly-steinmetz-and...