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By DANIEL LOCKE | Staff Writer

HELENA – American Freight is back up and running in Helena, providing the community with the chance to shop for high-quality furniture without having to go far.

There was an American Freight location in Helena previously, but the company’s previous ownership company, Franchise Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading to the closure of all 328 locations nationwide.

As different ownership groups have been granted American Freight locations, the company has started to make a comeback. That is how the Helena store managed to reopen its doors.

Store manager Tim Massey appreciates the support the community has shown during the three weeks the store has been back in operation. His main objective since reopening has been to promote the store as much as possible and equip it with a wide variety of products for customers to choose from.

“The support has been great,” Massey said. “We just opened, so we’re trying to get the name back out there. We closed the former location in December of last year, so we’re restocking. We’re carrying different merchandise, and we’re trying to bring in more value items to serve the community a little bit better.”

According to Massey, the business is placed in a convenient location so that it can serve Helena residents and those in surrounding cities as well.

“The location is ideal because it opens into different communities,” Massey said. “We’re close to Bessemer, Pelham and Alabaster.”

The location’s size also puts it at an advantage, allowing for an increase in inventory and available services.

“The size of our location allows us to carry the actual furniture in-house,” Massey said. “When you purchase a product from us, we can arrange same day, next day, or you can take it with you. We don’t have to order anything, it’s here in the building. So, you’re able to leave with your purchase.”

In addition to its variety of products available for purchase, American Freight offers different services in an attempt to make the customer experience the best it can be.

“We offer protection plans on the furniture, we offer same or next day delivery,” Massey said.

With more people calling Helena home, the need for furniture is on the rise. American Freight hopes to meet that need.

“The customers are really happy that we’re opening back up,” Massey said. “Helena is a growing community, there’s a lot of new construction, there’s a lot of houses. We’re getting accepted by the community just based on us having the merchandise, and it’s ready to go. When you purchase a home, you’re not having to wait the traditional three months or so it takes other furniture companies to get it in. Our stuff is here in the building and ready to go.”

Helena’s American Freight store is located at 4600 County Road 52.