Business Spotlight: Quixote: Fauscetts bring multicultural flair to furniture, accessories market

It's Friday afternoon and more than a dozen shoppers are browsing through Quixote, an upscale furniture store in the Galleria Shopping Center that specializes in contemporary and exotic furniture and accessories. Although Quixote only has been open a year, it's already established a niche for itself in terms of selection and price.

All of the pieces found in the store reflect the multicultural style and taste of owners Stan and Sherry Fauscett, who spent more than 20 years bouncing between their homes in Springfield and Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Multicultural furnishings

Most of the contemporary and exotic furniture at Quixote is made from wood, iron and other natural materials. Vibrant and colorful accessories, such as Mexican pottery, pillows and candles, accentuate the store's earth tone furnishings, which includes many large gallery-sized pieces. Exotic items, such as oversized wooden giraffes and whimsical wooden monkeys, complete the mix.

The Fauscetts view and inspect all of the furniture and accessories sold at Quixote firsthand. Throughout the year, they travel to Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil and India in search of artisans who produce distinctive and unusual furniture and accessories. According to the Fauscetts, purchasing directly from the seller has helped give Quixote a competitive edge.

"We are direct importers," said Sherry Fauscett. "This allows us to offer high-quality furniture at reasonable prices because we cut out the middleman. Many of the items we stock are one of a kind."

Pricing enticements

The Fauscetts said competitive pricing not only has helped them attract many Springfield customers, it also has helped them attract a fair number of out-of-state customers.

"We've shipped to customers in Seattle, Phoenix and New York," said Stan Fauscett. "One woman, who lives in Dallas, rents a truck when she comes up here to visit her family. She'll fill up the truck with things from the store and drive back. Even with the truck rental, she still saves money because furniture like this is so much more expensive down there."

The Fauscetts said they are developing a Web site, which will be used to increase the store's out-of-state business. In addition, they're making plans to open a design studio on the store's mezzanine, which will assist customers who want help decorating their home or business. The couple also is making plans to add several new furniture lines, including contemporary Italian leather furniture.

Blending styles

Although Quixote specializes in contemporary and exotic furniture and accessories, many of the items found in the store can be mixed with other furniture styles. The Fauscetts, along with their staff of two full-time employees, work closely with shoppers and teach them how to mix and match different styles so they can create a distinctive look.

"The biggest challenge with us is getting people to realize they can use exotic or contemporary pieces alongside traditional furniture," said Sherry Fauscett.

Public education

Building name recognition and helping customers understand what the store sells presents another challenge. The Fauscetts said some customers think the store sells outdoor furniture and garden items because Quixote touts the fact that it stocks items made out of wood, iron and clay. Other customers don't know what to expect when they visit the store for the first time.

Since Quixote opened, the Fauscetts have worked to educate potential customers and attract business to the store by advertising.

Quixote's business has remained relatively constant, said the Fauscetts. The two believe rapid turnover in the store's inventory has helped keep customers coming back and evened out seasonal business fluctuations. The Fauscetts also believe Quixote's casual and friendly atmosphere has worked to its advantage.

"We carry a lot of high-end items, but we also carry a lot of items that are moderately priced," said Sherry Fauscett. "We want to be the kind of place where your average person can go and shop and feel comfortable."