J.M. Beatty Furniture and Mattress Store

Since 1914, many residents of Butler, Venango and Mercer Counties have gone to one place to buy furniture. But at one time these residents also knew where to go to buy school supplies, Paint, Cars, Groceries, Toys and Furniture. That place was J.M. Beatty. Originally in Barkeyville, J.M. Beatty Merchandise was a hub of commerce for local farmers and businessmen. Siblings, Jim, Merle, Jean, Harry, Josephine and Cecil worked in the family business from the time they were old enough to work. In 1917, the business moved the store location to Eau Claire on Route 38. It proved a fruitful venture and eventually split off because of growth. Siblings Jim, Merle, and Jean started J.M. Beatty Auto Sales, which was in business until just recently. Harry stayed with the merchandise business until Thompson's Market bought it and Cecil branched off with furniture. The furniture store remained in Eau Claire until 2006 when they purchased the former Washington Elementary School Building. J.M. Beatty has remodeled most of the building making the layout more welcoming and giving customers an easier visualization of home. A unique aspect of this furniture business is that it is not only a family owned business, it is also family operated. Everything from appliance repair, floor installation and deliveries are done in house. Beatty's philosophy is not just to aim for new customers but for old customers to keep coming back and bringing friends.