Fayetteville Transforms Furniture Store Into Innovation Hub

An 80-year-old furniture store building in Fayetteville, North Carolina, isn't headed for the wrecking ball. Instead, it's becoming a launchpad for the city's economic future.

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) just moved into 611 W. Russell St., the former home of Homemakers Furniture and Interiors. Over the next six to eight months, they'll transform the 35,800-square-foot space into a hub where businesses can recruit and train workers, test confidential equipment, and connect with innovators.

"I think it's a really great continuation of an 80-year legacy of a well-operated business that served the community," said FCEDC President Robert Van Geons. "But now this building is being repurposed to serve new businesses, veterans, and the overall community as we evolve our economy."

The idea started when Van Geons kept meeting companies interested in Fayetteville but not ready to commit to multi-year leases or building construction. They needed a place to test the waters, hire local talent, and ramp up operations without massive upfront investment.

The solution? Flexible space that companies can rent for as little as a day or as long as six months. The finished center will include training rooms, conference spaces, a presentation hall, and secure areas for classified defense work.

The Ripple Effect

Fayetteville sits next to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), one of the largest military installations in the world. That means thousands of skilled veterans transition out of service each year, looking for their next career chapter.

This innovation hub creates a bridge. Companies exploring Fayetteville can immediately tap into that veteran workforce without building their own facilities first. Veterans can access training programs and connect with employers actively hiring. Startups can demonstrate new technologies to defense contractors in secure spaces.

Van Geons emphasized the focus on making space affordable, especially for organizations hiring transitioning soldiers and veterans. FCEDC staff will work on-site daily to support companies using the facility and keep administrative costs low.

The project wouldn't exist without collaboration. Senator Thom Tillis's office helped secure federal funding, while the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the Community Development Foundation provided crucial support.

Renovations started last fall with floor refinishing and will continue with upgraded bathrooms, meeting facilities, and a catering-capable kitchen. FCEDC is already fielding calls from interested companies and partners eager to use the space.

The building that once helped families furnish their homes is now helping an entire region build its economic future.