Furniture store closing

<p>Couches Etc., a longtime furniture store in downtown Petaluma, is going out of business. </p><p>Mark Thomas, owner of the company since 1979, said the housing slump, lower costs of imported furniture, and changing consumer attitudes all contributed to his decision to shut down by the end of the year. </p><p>Couches Etc. has been located in a distinctive, curved glass building at the corner of Western Avenue and Kentucky Street since 1986, when Thomas purchased the three-story building.</p><p>While it started out focusing on couches and upholstered furniture, Thomas added other home furnishings over the years. </p><p>But sales have declined about 30 percent over the last 18 months, the sharpest downtown in the retailer’s history, Thomas said. The soft housing marking has made consumers more cautious, cheaper furniture means higher sales volumes are required, and few consumers see furniture as a long-term investment, he said. </p><p>Thomas, 56, said he might try to weather the slump under different circumstances, but he’s ready for a change. </p><p>“It’s just not worth it right now,” he said. </p><p>Thomas, who is also a partner in the North Bay chain of Sleep City mattress stores, said he plans to lease the 17,000-square-foot building to a new tenant.</p>