February 2012 Vol. 25 No. 2
The Voice of Kitsap Business since 1988
Arnold’s Rebounds, Doing Fine Arnold’s rises from the ashes thanks to veteran employees By Rodika Tollefson Arnold’s Home Furnishings in Bremerton has made a remarkable turnaround after a fire started by arsonists destroyed the store more than two years ago. The business reclaimed part of the old building that remained after the fire and despite a smaller footprint, the year-old space is as vibrant as ever. Customers are welcomed by the familiar “rooms” that replicate the design of a home, as well as some new areas such as an expanded mattress showroom. This rebirth from the ashes, however, would not have happened had it not been for two longtime employees, Kathy Christensen and Steve Ford. When owner Betty Arnold decided she would not reopen after the fire, Christensen and Ford jumped in to buy the company’s assets and rebuild. “We felt it was the right thing to do, and we loved the business,” Christensen said. Christensen has been part of the 51year-old business for 36 years, starting out in the back office and working her way up to buyer within five years. She has held that L-R: Owners Kathy Christensen and Steve Ford
Cover Story , page 6 $1.50 Display until March 1st
Automotive, pp 34, 35
Inside
Real Estate, pp 23-25
Special Reports:
Technology, pg 26
Women In Business, pp 4-13
Human Resources, pg 27 Financial, pp 28, 29
Home Builders Newsletter,
Retail, pp 30, 31
Environment, pg 33
pp 19-22
Editorial, pp 36-38