It'll be a cold day in UFS --or-- How I learned to stop worrying and love the cold

So... it's been a while since we've posted a new blog entry.

Check out this cool little island picture. For some reason I can't stop thinking about tropical islands and drinking cocktails out of a coconut.

It must be the weather. Right now it's a soul sucking 5 degrees outside and the windchill is below zero. If you find yourself chilled to the bone, bundled to the teeth and low on supplies, fear not, UFS has you covered. From batteries to salt, shovels to antifreeze, we have all kinds of supplies to help you ward off this oppressive weather. And... if you're all stocked up on the necessities; buy a heat lamp, grab a cocktail and we'll send Pierre over to make ocean noises in your ear. 

P.S.
I'm fairly certain we don't have coconuts. Maybe next month.


-Dan

Get It While It's Hot!

So Christmas is over and we are looking forward to 2013....or are we? With all of this talk of fiscal cliffs, debt ceilings and recessions; it’s easy to be skeptical about our economic certainty. What I have managed to understand is that the cost of living as we know it today is going to get considerably more expensive. Sam Johnson told me he heard on the news milk may be going up to $7.00 a gallon this year. What will the prices of other beverages (adult beverages) do? I don't know but I'm not taking any chances... I'm going to stock up on all my favorites, like Svedka vodka, Berringer Honey Burbon, and my delightful Skinnygirl chardonney. I'll save some money and forget the garnishes, olives, cherries, etc. So be prepared when you go over the cliff. If there's no choice I plan on being well stocked when I take my tumble into 2013.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from UFS

Our Deepest Condolences

All of us at UFS, management and our employees wish to send our condolences and our heartfelt sympathies to all those innocent folks in Connecticut who are suffering this unbearable grief and torment. We will continue to pray for all the families, first responders, and the men and women affected by this monumental tragedy. The 28 new residents of Heaven will be sorely missed.
~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Dart Boards & Cars, what else is there?

So we waited until the LAST MINUTE...Good thing UFS just received a a shipment of gift items perfect for stocking stuffing. The most unique item is the ARACHNID Arcade Dart board cabinet. It has 26 games plus 6 crickets. This originally sold for $349 and UFS is selling it for $149 plus a $50 gift card. That nets it down to $99.00 WOW!!!!! If that doesn't get you off your sofa to come shopping, how about a "Touchscreen Control" car...40% Off. These cars, Corvette c6r, and Nissan 3702 includes the 9.6 volt battery. I love those touch screen gloves. You don't have to remove your gloves to answer your cell phone. So your hands stay toasty warm while you text. UFS also has hundreds of other items equally as appealing. So before the snow flies or the cold wind blows come to UFS to finish all of shopping.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Deck The Halls... Twice For The Same Price!

Yea, yea I know it feels like Thanksgiving just ended but this year I'm not waiting for the last minute... I'm getting my house ready, decorated and my gifts purchased. I can't believe UFS has already marked down their Christmas ornaments, decorations and gifts to 50% off. The ornaments are magical. There are long narrow glass icicles, round chubby spheres of joyful colors, and everything in between. The pre-lit trees are awesome and eliminate so much work... there's garland, lights, wreaths and much, much more... stockings for your mantel, festive seasonal dishware, trays for cookies (yum, yum), etc. Don't forget to pick up a Nativity set, because we all know the Reason for the Season. Merry Preparing and Have a great Holiday Season.
~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Holiday Greetings!

Holiday Greetings and Merry Christmas from the staff of the UFS Furniture store sales. We want all of you to know how much we appreciate your support and your business in the past year. 2012 has been a great year for us and we hope all of our customers enjoy their purchases and are sleeping well. We send you our wishes for a Happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Be There or Be Square!

YES, it's that time of year again!!!! THE HOLIDAYS... First there's that very tasty, delectable turkey dinner, then the oldest Santa parade in the country and then the world famous HOLIDAY TASTING at UFS. It HAPPENS on Friday from 11am-4pm and on Saturday from noon to 4pm. Representatives from all the major distributors wineries, breweries and even folks from the Craft Beers will be there. These two days are HUGE. There will be 30-50 members of the the distillery industry giving away free samples. It's a real party. Sometimes there are samples of luscious rum cake, or mud slide brownies. One year we sampled chili, summer sausage and cheese. The delights for this year have not been revealed yet..... but we're looking forward to them. We'll see you there!

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Who doesn't like candy?

Halloween is right around the corner.  Do you have your costume?  This year let's be creative.  Enough with the Obama or Romney masks.  How about something truly unique...like what you ask?  Come down to UFS and check out our costumes.....you can be a nurse, a French maid, or whatever.  Have you thought of dressing up like Lucille Ball, or a Green M and M, or maybe a Chip And Dale dancer (cumber bun and bow tie, and you're good to go)? If you need some Halloween decor we're loaded with that too.  Get prepared now so you'll have a great Halloween.   Don't forget Trick or Treat.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

The Men Behind The Furniture

Meet the men of the Furniture Warehouse who provide our customers with the GOLD GLOVE DELIVERY SERVICE. These handsome hunks are also the repair technicians who are trained to correct any possible defects in the products. They man the warehouse and load up purchases into your vehicle. These gentlemen are remarkable. They have delivered a 200lb sofa up three flights of stairs. They've installed and assembled bedroom sets on the second floors of old Victorian houses with stairways 30 inches wide. If there's a way to get the job done our guys will do it. Stay tuned I think they're planning a calendar next.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Purses to the maxx!

These fabulous purses are displayed on the TJ MAxx television commercials. Big Deal!!! UFS carries these designer bags in multiple colors. These Joy Mangiamo purses are roomy and organized so you don't loose your lipstick in the bottom. They have a faux snake skin finish with a patent leather sheen. You could be a Maxinista and surely pay more or become fabulista and purchase it at UFS.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Why stand in line? Let UFS do the work for you.

UFS has just launched a new program. It's called Get It Now. You go online and shop, decide what you want, and order it. In an hour it will be ready for you to pick up at the service desk. So whether it's a case of Miller Light or a bottle of wine; UFS has simplified your shopping and hopefully saved you some time. We all know that's the one thing none of us have enough of. Keep watching the website because come the holidays there will be all kinds of packages available... like your Thanksgiving wine package with the best libations to accompany your turkey, or your Bear-Packer game package with the beer, cheeses, sausages, chips, cups, and napkins. The Get It Now design team is constantly working on expanding and developing. The best is yet to come. Get on our website and let us do the work for you. You'll be glad you did!

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Picking up your Spirit by literally picking up Spirits!

UFS does a lot of business in the beer, wine and spirit department. Unfortunately this necessitates daily deliveries except for Sunday. Six days a week we receive a delivery from one or more sources, raining down cases and cases of spirits. It's awesome to see the delivery drivers and the merchandisers working diligently from 7AM to 9AM unloading the trucks and refilling all the vacant spots on the shelves. No, I have not single handedly created all those empty spots myself. Hmm... would be fun though.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Check Out The Newest Addition To UFS...

Have you been to the UFS liquor department lately? We have a new addition, a tall, pale complected gentleman in a navy tee, red vest, holding a Number One. Yes you've got it... Gentleman Jack Daniel. Seriously Jack Daniels is the oldest distillery in the USA. It is located in Lynchburg, Moore county, Tennessee which was incorporated in 1841. The distillery is 25 younger than the town itself, approximately 146 years. This location for the distillery was selected because the Hollow contains the perfect water to make whiskey. It is cool, pure, iron free cave spring water. Since its beginning Jack Daniels has had 7 Master Distillers, the most current one being Jeff Arnett. Jeff and his predecessors have guarded the secret process for years. We do know, however, that the process for developing the 80 proof whiskey includes mellowing the delectable beverage twice through charcoal to achieve its smoothness.

So I know you want to know if he was really real. Yes, he was born the youngest of ten children (no wonder he was into the booze), in 1849. Shortly after his birth his mother passed away due to birth complications. Several years later his father remarried and had another three children (WHEW). Jack, himself never married or had children. He had an untimely death in 1911 from blood poisoning which began in his toe. Rumor has it one morning in anger he kicked his safe when he couldn't remember the combination. Infection set into his toe and spread throughout his body. A common joke at the distillery is that Jack could have cured his infection in his toe had he dipped it in a glass of his own whiskey. 

Come to UFS and see Jack all decked out and sample some of the Honey whiskey with its sweet, delectable and tantalizing taste.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

A Little Taste of UFS

"I know you guys have that tasting after Thanksgiving."

That's what we hear from customers most often when asking if they've attended our tastings. The truth is you don't have to fight the Black Friday crowds to see what all the fuss is about. UFS has between 30 & 40 smaller tastings throughout the year.

We bring in our product specialists and industry experts to help answer your questions and develop your palate. We don't want you endlessly wandering the aisles. We want to share the experience with you, making it easy for you to get honest answers and the right product at the right price. The best part... IT'S FREE!!! That's right, all you have to bring is your I.D., and be over 21 of course.

Come join the fun! Our next tasting is this Saturday 8/18 from 12-4pm. We will be sampling Sierra Nevada Products. Hope we see you then.

~Dan Miller

Home Repairs and Alcohol Mix Well... right?

UFS has some hidden treasures, one of them being Hardware Terry (an affectionate nick name). Terry has worked for UFS for a number of years and she excels in the hardware dept. If you need to know how to repair a toilet, rewire an outlet, paint a wall or build a house, Terry is your "Go To" Person. She can walk you through it as well as showing you where the necessary supplies are. UFS carries tools, paint, nails, fasteners, cabinet hardware, and everything you need to get the job done. Before you leave make sure you stop in the Beer department for a six pack to celebrate when your repairs are completed.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

As if we needed another reason to have a good time

As I'm sure you're aware BED BUGS have reappeared and are becoming an issue. As such many researchers are studying the problem. A study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that bed bugs avoid blood with a high alcohol content. Feasting on human blood is how these little critters grow and reproduce. Those feeding on alcohol laced blood eat less and lay fewer eggs than their sober counterpoints. The more alcohol in the blood they consumed the less they grew. These finding will be presented at the National Conference on Urban Entomology in Atlanta. Why do you suppose they don't do research on how to get rid of the pests? Is someone telling us it's ok to drink more especially before bed?

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Back To School

It's the middle of the summer and you know what that means...BACK TO SCHOOL. You'll have to budget for the school supplies, fees, new uniforms and new shoes. (I never understood how shoes fit in May but in Aug they're too small. Oh the joys of parenthood.) Next to Christmas I think this is the most expensive time of the year for families. It's a good thing UFS carries all the supplies you need. The back packs are attractive and sturdy enough for any rough and tumble child. UFS also has pens, pencils, crayons, markers, rulers, glue, etc, everything a young scholar needs to be successful in any grade. So, kids, enjoy the rest of your vacation and be ready to shine on the first day of school. You're a generation of extraordinary individuals, all you need are the tools to discover your potential.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

Did Someone Say... Food?

This morning I wandered around the UFS Food Department. In addition to the frozen pizzas, meat selections, and canned goods they also carry delicacies like pickled beets, artichoke hearts, capers, etc. Standards are also on the shelves, like pasta salad, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce (some laced with vodka), sardines, canned green beans, asparagus, etc. My favorite is the Third Street Italian salad dressing in sweet or traditional which is made in Taluca, Illinois and very reasonably priced. So, guys, UFS is much more than just frozen pizza and fried pork rinds. The Food Department is growing and the selections are expanding. Come in and see for yourself.

~Claire Serafin Wiegand

St. Jude Doing Amazing Things for Amazing People

It's that time of year again. The St. Jude Runners left Tuesday morning for the Memphis to Peoria run. They have been running for St. Jude since 1982. It's a 465 mile run which has raised 12 million dollars. St. Jude's Hospital is a medical treatment facility for children with cancer. There are no fees for the families with sick kids. It is supported by donations from all over. The runners are just a small part of the healthy heros who support St. Jude. One of our UFS family is a 33 year survivor of St. Jude's, Tammy Lepretre. Without St. Jude's, Tammy and her family could not have afforded the catistrophic costs of cancer treatment. Without treatment the world would have missed out on a very special lady. She is only one example of the thousands of children helped by St. Jude. Next weekend, July 21, 2012 the St. Jude telethone will air. Tammy and her mother, Tina, will be working at the telethon between 10pm and 11pm answering phones and taking pledges. We're asking all of our employees and customers to call Tammy and Tina and make a pledge. No amount is too small.


THANK YOU!

~Claire Serafin Wiegand