Fifth-Generation Family Business Expands Reach While Reinforcing Commitment to Central Illinois
Dieterich, Ill. (May 5, 2026) As National Small Business Month shines a spotlight on local impact, Wright’s Furniture & Flooring is celebrating a rare milestone: 137 years of continuous operation – fueled not just by resilience through events like the Great Depression and COVID-19, but by a deep-rooted commitment to its community.
The fifth-generation, family-owned business has been a pillar in Central Illinois for generations. President of Wright’s Furniture & Flooring, John Wright, credits his family’s success to the community’s support.
“Throughout the years, we have received endless support from our community and we cannot thank them enough for that,” John said. “Our customers are our family, friends and neighbors and we cannot wait for Wright’s Furniture to continue to grow, and we’ll also continue looking for new ways to give back.”
The Wright’s ties to the area go back even before Dieterich was established. In 1889, G.W. Wright purchased the local furniture store and funeral parlor and Dieterich was incorporated four years later in 1893. They began as a small, brick-and-mortar store and have since expanded into four different locations with 40 local employees. Wright’s Furniture has also expanded into new areas such as their own mattress line, Wright Sleep, and personalized one-on-one interior design services with Wright at Home that specializes in commercial design and window treatment.
While the company is growing internally, Wright’s Furniture has also put a focus on helping fulfill their community’s needs. Over two years ago, the Wrights, among an ambitious group of locals, noticed Dieterich lacked an athletic center. This led them to open the Dieterich Community Center, a 24-hour fitness facility featuring basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts as well as community rooms for large events. It was later renamed the Wright Family Center after a generous donation from the Tom Wright and John Wright families.
Additionally, they started Wright’s Cares, an initiative made to support local causes and organizations, such as St. Jude, Meals on Wheels, Blessings in a Backpack, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and more.
Wright’s Furniture & Flooring Vice President Alex Wright said establishing new relationships and developing existing connections within the community is one of his favorite aspects of his job.
“The relationships we have established in this community are really what it’s all about. Being able to walk into a small business and be helped by a trusted face is what we strive for every day,” Alex said. “Relationships are what make small businesses thrive and we could not be more grateful for the amazing people in our area.”
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Wright’s Furniture & Flooring is a fifth-generation family-owned business that is celebrating its 137th anniversary this year. Wright’s Furniture & Flooring features a large selection of quality living room, bedroom, dining room, home office, home accents, entertainment, commercial and custom furniture as well as a wide selection of flooring. The business also offers interior design services in its Dieterich, Robinson and Taylorville locations and window treatments through its Wright at Home store in Effingham.