It's Your Business: Liberty Lagana Furniture

If you’re looking for a new dining room set or your kids keep begging you for bunk beds, Liberty Lagana Furniture in Meriden is the place to go.  And if you’re looking for love, the West Main Street store might also be the perfect place to stop by.

“My grandfather met my grandmother at the store and I met my wife at the store,” explains owner Matt Lagana.  “My grandmother bought a radio and my grandfather made a house call to make sure it was working, and the rest is history.  My wife bought a futon in 2005.  I delivered it and we were married two years later.”

Looking for some extra work during the Great Depression, Joseph Lagana Sr. began working at Liberty Auto Stores in 1934. When the owners retired in the 1960s, Lagana Sr. bought the business, gradually transforming it from auto parts and hardware to furniture and electronics.   

 In 1975, Joseph Lagana Jr. took over the company from his dad.  And three decades later, in 2008, he passed it onto his son, Matt – making it a third generation family-owned business.   

 “I like to say I’ve been working at the store since I was born, because I spent all my free time at the store growing up,” says Lagana.  “I loved being at the store with my dad so much, I used to fake sickness in elementary school so he would come pick me up and take me to the store.”  

Lagana graduated from Bentley College in 2003 with a degree in computer information systems and says he felt a lot of pressure to work in corporate America.

“I interviewed with several companies in Boston and New York, including Google, but I ultimately decided to work at the store.  My heart was always there and I definitely don’t regret the decision.” 

As the owner of the store, Lagana does everything from handling the finances and merchandise, to waiting on customers, and unloading trucks.  So what comes on and off those trucks?  Some of the store’s inventory include: living room and dining room sets, mattresses, youth furniture, futons, sectionals, and recliners.  

In a retail world with a lot of competition, Meriden Patch asked Lagana why he thinks the store has stayed in business and continued to do so well for more than 75 years. 

“We compete with big box stores through a mix of aggressive, competitive pricing and excellent customer service,” explains Lagana.  “Our customers really appreciate our expert, low-pressure, non-commissioned sales staff.”

He goes on to add that the store has no frills, no gimmicks, and low overhead costs which means big savings for the customers.  And it seems customers really appreciate those savings.  Lagana says business continued to do well even during the poor economy.  Since 2007, the store has expanded its showroom three times and last year added an extra 3,500 square feet of display area. 

Lagana believes the best way to advertise is through word of mouth from happy customers.  He doesn’t buy TV ads and does very little print advertising.  However, the store’s internet presence has grown significantly through the years.  

“We’re a small family business, but on the internet it’s a level playing field.  You can view over 1,000 products on our website and I’m constantly updating it,” says Lagana.

For more information about Liberty Lagana Furniture visit:  www.LibertyLagana.com