Peters Family Living is one of the oldest continuously family owned and operated businesses in the Arkansas River Valley today.  The firm was founded in 1944 by F. C. Peters and W. A. Baldwin and was originally known as Peters-Baldwin Company, a partnership, selling not only furniture and appliances as it does today, but also consisting of a large hardware department as well as electronics.  Twelve years after the partnership was formed, Baldwin relinquished his interest in the firm with owners then becoming F. C. Peters, his wife, Lillian, and his two sons, Bill and Flave.  After another twelve years, the business was incorporated under the name, F. C. Peters and Sons, Inc.

In 1974 F. C. Peters retired to take care of his wife who was terminally ill.  She passed away in 1975, but F. C. Peters lived until 1994 when he died at the age of 93.  F. C. enjoyed retirement and was active through 92 years of his life.

Through March, 2001,  family ownership continued with Bill and Flave W. being the principals.  The store was extensively enlarged and remodeled several years ago, and the firm's name changed to PETERS FAMILY LIVING.  The new name reflected the firm's warm, friendly and caring family personality.  Also, with the business being family owned and operated with a family of employees taking care of the needs of its family of customers, providing products and services for family living,  the new name seemed even more appropriate.

Physical progress continues as well with a spacious parking lot on the east side of the building and a new sidewalk on the west side of the building were phase one in a remodeling project.  The next phase of the  remodeling project  was in 2003 in conjunction with 50/50  Matching "Model Business Grant", to help with an extensive restoration of the two building on the northwest corner of the block.  This included restoring the interior and exterior of these buildings which were constructed in the late 1800's.  This part of the store is now used for additional furniture display.  The final phase of this planned project included the re-painting and sprucing up of the exterior of our block of buildings making up our store.  These improvements will continue as needed to keep our business inviting to customers and a credit to the Historic Downtown District.

F. C. Peters started the tradition of  "taking care of the customer" over a half century ago, and the company today still strives to live up to that original goal. The proof of this is in the five generations of the many families who still do business with the store. We continue to get better in this regard.

On April 1, 2001, Flave Peters retired and Bill is now the principal.  Flave and his wife, Ella Ann,  moved to Little Rock in 2006 and reside at Parkway Village, and he is enjoying retirement. He does, however, still comes in frequently and remains an inspirational part of the business.

A Statement from Bill and Flave Peters

"We understand the importance of customer satisfaction, and we sincerely consider our customers as not just clients, but also friends of our store and of us personally. We emphasize the importance of our loyal and competent employees who are absolutely necessary in the successful operation of any business, and we are extremely proud of all our customer friendly employees.  We are constantly getting compliments from our customers on the knowledge and courtesy of our sales and office people as well as our delivery personnel and service technicians.  We are very fortunate in having such good people working here as a customer caring team."

"We are constantly trying to find ways to improve and achieve an even higher level of customer satisfaction, and that is why we are a member of the quality national buying, merchandizing, and advertising networks known as BEST BRAND PLUS /  MEGA GROUP.  We are joined by hundreds of other stores across the country to bring our customers the benefits of this huge buying power. This has helped us provide the Best Value in Home Furnishings, Accessories, and Appliances in the River Valley."

"The names PETERS FAMILY LIVING and BEST BRANDS PLUS reflect how our focus for the future continues on target, and we are now able to offer the quality in products and services which our customers expect, but at more competitive prices.  That equates to better value for our customers."

"The Peters name has been a sign of trust since 1944 and will continue to be so for this generation as well as those to come.  Our commitment is to our Customers, and they can depend on that!  The most important part of our business is THE CUSTOMER!  We are still building our reputation, one day and one customer at a time.  And, we will continue striving to improve..."

                Bill Peters, peters@petersfamilyliving.com