An old furniture plant on Highway 15 bypass will see new life within 30 days.

Todd Buskirk, president of EnCore Furniture, plans to open the doors with an initial employment of 40 people.

He recently signed papers to take up bond ownership of the old Ellis Furniture building from the city of Pontotoc.

“Now that the papers are signed, we plan on going in there immediately and begin cleaning up,” Buskirk said.

“We would like to be making furniture by sometime toward the end of February.”

Already orders are on his desk waiting to be filled.

Buskirk said he wanted to branch out into the manufacturing of furniture after having good success as a foam supplier — Ideal Foam — in Pontotoc since 2001.

“There is a good work force here. In fact, we employ 82 at the foam plant.”

Buskirk plans on manufacturing stationery furniture, “sofas, love seats, ottomans and such as that.”

And he is not just leaving everything to chance. Already he is stepping up to the plate and getting his name in the market place.

“We plan on showing at the furniture market in Tupelo.”

Tupelo Furniture Market

He will join the more than 250 exhibitors who have already begun descending on the furniture market in Tupelo for the bi-annual market show on Coley Road.

The market will begin this Saturday, January 24, and continue through Wednesday, January 28.

This is the premiere opportunity for buyers and sellers alike to put their best foot forward and show what they have to offer.

Pontotoc County furniture manufacturers and suppliers are highlighted this week in the Pontotoc County Furniture Industry 2009 booklet inside this issue of the Progress.