Kansas furniture store owner on being forced to shutter due to tariffs: “We decided to liquidate everything”

Merriam, Kansas — My Home Contemporary Furniture in Merriam, Kansas may appear to be just another furniture store to most visitors, but for owner Henrik Svendsen, it represents the culmination of a lifelong dream. Svendsen opened the store four years ago with the intention of creating a legacy for his children to inherit.

However, Svendsen recently made the difficult decision to close his store in August due to the impact of President Trump’s trade war. The tariffs imposed on imported furniture have made it increasingly unaffordable for both Svendsen to import and for customers to purchase. Svendsen explained that the tariffs have significantly raised the prices of his inventory, making it impossible for him to absorb the additional costs while maintaining his everyday low sale prices.

One example that Svendsen shared with CBS News was a sofa imported from China, which would have previously retailed for $1,999. With the tariffs in place, the price has now soared to $2,500, and there is potential for further increases. Svendsen estimated that he has paid approximately $162,000 in tariffs since the trade war began, leading him to the decision to liquidate his inventory and close the store.

Svendsen’s store primarily sells imported furniture, with 50% of the inventory coming from China and the remainder from countries like Mexico, Thailand, and various European nations. Although he also offers American-made furniture, Svendsen noted that many components of these products are still sourced from overseas, making them subject to tariffs as well.

The closure of My Home Contemporary Furniture also means job layoffs for Svendsen’s 10 employees, including Henning Mikkelsen, who expressed uncertainty about his future employment prospects. Mikkelsen emphasized the challenges of providing for himself and his family without a steady income.

As the trade war continues to impact businesses across various industries, Svendsen’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences of international trade policies. The uncertainty surrounding the future of businesses like My Home Contemporary Furniture underscores the need for sustainable solutions that support both local businesses and global trade relationships.