Our History…
Chauncey Jacob Artis—fondly known as CJ—was a man of vision and determination. In 1928, he opened CJ Artis Furniture Shop, laying the foundation for a family legacy. For 25 years, the store stood proudly at 1201 Grand, becoming a familiar part of the neighborhood. In 1953, CJ built a new home for the business at 2507 Ingersoll, rebranding it as Artis Furniture Company. That beloved location served as our flagship store for decades—filled with the warmth of loyal customers and generations of family. In 1998, the business moved to a new location in Urbandale, carrying forward CJ’s legacy.
Like many, we felt the weight of the 2008 housing crisis and made the difficult decision to move, beginning a new chapter in the Artis Furniture story. Yet, the spirit of CJ—and the generations who followed—continues to live on in all we do.
The store has remained a proud family endeavor for generations. CJ’s son Paul, along with his wife Marge and their sons, Bill and Greg, carried the business forward for many years. In the 1990s, the next generation stepped in as Bill’s sons, Bill and Jay, became an integral part of the company.
Today, the legacy continues with Patty, Bill’s wife, and their daughter, Beth Artis Picken—honoring the family’s deep roots while guiding Artis Furniture into the future.
CJ built his business on a simple but powerful principle: offer high-quality furnishings at a fair price, backed by exceptional service. It was a promise he made to every customer who walked through the door—a promise that still guides us today.
That same spirit lives on through our partnerships with America’s finest family-owned manufacturers. Brands like Stickley and CR Laine share our values and commitment to craftsmanship, integrity, and lasting quality—ideals that never go out of style.
We’re proud to continue CJ’s tradition, serving families just as he did, from our current home at 2655 100th Street—just north of Hickman on the east side of 100th. The location may have changed, but the heart of our business remains the same.
A history of tag lines:
GOOD FURNITURE (1929)FOR QUALITY’S SAKE (70s AND 80s)AFFORDABLE ELEGANCE (80s AND 90s)IT’S YOU ( early 2000s)WHERE “ART IS” IN THE FURNISHINGS
