Ruth Hamaliuk was born in Andrew, AB. Fifty years ago, she moved to Parkdale. She bought an older house and needed furniture.

Nearby, XL Furniture on 95 Street beckoned. Hamaliuk wanted a table and chairs. Not just any chairs, but chairs in a specific colour. “I wanted beige vinyl. I got to choose from many colours. I found just the one I wanted,” she says.

A couch and chair followed. Then, a recliner. “I still have the couch. I gave the chair to my brother, who lived in Andrew. He was happy with it.”

Back then, owner Ed Struzynski was her main contact. He opened XL Furniture in 1952. His son, Al Struzynski, and wife Colleen run the business today. The building is now 16,000 square feet on two levels.

Around 80 per cent of the furniture is made in Canada.

“We offer quality furnishings only,” says Al Struzynski. “You can trust everything in our store.” Furniture for every room is available.

The company’s slogan in his dad Ed’s days was, “We excel in every way.” Going the extra mile is still a plus. Free delivery in Edmonton is included, along with removal of old furniture. “We donate it, if it’s still usable,” adds son Al.

After a long 16 years, Hamaliuk was ready for a new recliner that could lift her out of the seat. This October, she bought a replacement: a cloth recliner with a lift, adjustable headrest, and adjustable lumbar support. With a little bit of back and forth, she got the chair she wanted.

The senior is all smiles. “I can sleep comfortably in my new recliner. I like the feel of the material. Most of all, I appreciated the service from XL Furniture which I wouldn’t have anywhere else.”

Why has XL Furniture survived while others have gone out of business? “Because of good service,” says Hamaliuk. “They do so much to make a customer satisfied with their purchase. That’s what they advertise and it’s true.”

In the long run, it’s this very attention to good service that has made XL Furniture a winner in Edmonton, not just in our neighbourhood.

“Quite a few of our friends have shopped there, buying recliners and the like,” adds Hamaliuk. “We should recognize more local businesses like XL Furniture for the good things that they do.”