Clarksville business owner David Berggren urges residents of Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky to shop local and invest back into their own communities.
CLARKSVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / March 2, 2026 / David Berggren, owner and founder of Furniture Connection, is raising awareness about the growing importance of supporting locally owned businesses and community-based organizations in Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky.
After more than two decades in retail, Berggren believes local businesses play a critical role beyond sales.
"We live here," Berggren said. "Our customers are our neighbors. When you support a local store, you're supporting families, schools, and nonprofits in your own community."
Furniture Connection was founded in 1999 with a simple belief: furniture prices were too high, and customers deserved better options and better service. Since relocating to Clarksville in 2000, the business has grown into a 46,000 square foot showroom - the largest in the city - serving thousands of households across the region.
But Berggren says the bigger story is about community impact.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employ nearly 46% of the private workforce. Studies from American Express have also shown that for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, approximately $68 stays in the local economy, compared to about $43 when spent at national chains.
"Local retail keeps dollars circulating locally," Berggren said. "That supports schools, nonprofits, and local jobs. It strengthens the entire area."
Furniture Connection supports organizations such as Hope to Dream, Judy's Hope, Hope House, FUEL, Kenwood Middle School, and Austin Peay State University. Berggren views these partnerships as a responsibility, not a strategy.
"It's not about promotion," he said. "It's about being part of the place you do business in."
Retail has shifted dramatically over the past 25 years. Online shopping continues to grow, and consumers increasingly compare prices before stepping into a store. While Berggren acknowledges the convenience of online platforms, he believes physical retail still provides something valuable.
"You can't feel a sofa through a screen," he said. "You can't test a mattress online the same way you can in person."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce now accounts for roughly 15% of total retail sales, a number that continues to rise. Yet brick-and-mortar stores still represent the majority of consumer spending. Berggren believes communities must intentionally choose to preserve local retail options.
"If local stores disappear, they don't come back easily," he said. "Once they're gone, the community loses more than a storefront."
Berggren is encouraging residents to take small, practical steps to support local business and community causes:
Choose a locally owned store when possible
Attend local school or nonprofit fundraisers
Share positive experiences with small businesses
Refer friends and neighbors to trusted local retailers
Volunteer time or donate to community-based organizations
"You don't have to spend more," Berggren said. "You just have to think local first."
He also emphasized the importance of service standards within local retail.
"No gimmicks," he said. "Be fair. Be clear. Stand behind what you sell. If local businesses hold that line, customers will keep coming back."
Berggren believes long-term success is built on relationships, not transactions.
"Furniture isn't something people buy every month," he said. "If they come back years later, that means we earned their trust."
As communities continue to adapt to economic changes, Berggren says individual choices matter.
"Every purchase is a vote," he said. "You're deciding what kind of business environment you want around you."
Call to Action
David Berggren encourages residents of Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky to take one simple step this week: make one purchase from a locally owned business or support one local nonprofit organization. Small actions, repeated across thousands of households, can create measurable impact.
"Treat people right," Berggren said. "The rest follows."
About David Berggren
David Berggren is the owner and founder of Furniture Connection, a locally owned furniture retailer serving Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky since 1999. Based in Clarksville, Tennessee, Furniture Connection operates a 46,000 square foot showroom and is known for its commitment to value, customer service, and community involvement. Berggren actively supports local schools and nonprofit organizations and believes business success should be measured by long-term relationships and community impact.
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SOURCE: David Berggren, Owner of Furniture Connection
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