John’s Trading Company

Tough, but fair – The History of Survival

     John’s Trading Company has been selling furniture, hardware, and appliances. But don’t think this is just another business on the block when in fact, the history of John’s Trading Company has had a major impact on this areas economy for almost sixty-three years.

     In 1943, founder John Eby’s survival instincts came into play. With a wife and young daughter, as well as his parents, to care for, he came up with the ingenious idea of providing service to lower income people while making a living as well. Durable goods were in short supply during this time and credit was a necessity for locals because so many men were at war.

     John stocked his store, an old house, with $110 worth of used merchandise and began selling on ‘terms’.  He initially started out buying, repairing, and then selling second hand furniture and kitchen appliances before adding hardware items to his inventory. Because of his growing reputation of being tough but fair, “Mr. John”, as he became respectfully referred to by his customers, was the man to see for an honest deal.

     Although his son, John C. Eby, Jr., and his wife Sandra, took over the daily operations of the business in 1979, Mr. John still showed up for work almost every day until his death in 1996 at the age of 81. Later, Chris’s son, Christian, worked at the store. Today, daughter Wesley’s husband, Bruce Johnson, is running the store alongside “Mr. Chris”, as he is affectionately known by longtime customers.

      John’s Trading Company has become somewhat of an institution in an area that was built on family businesses that have survived the change of times. And this family owned and operated enterprise still holds those same values close to their heart – integrity, honesty, fairness, and a good value for your money.  Their philosophy is that ‘we can’t promise that if you buy here you will never have a problem, but we can promise you that it will be solved.”  Now that’s a concept worth striving for.

If you haven’t shopped here before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. The store sells new, as well as used, furniture and appliances, home accessories, hardware, and a wide variety of porch rockers. Additionally, John’s Trading Company can special order those hard to find items, including odd-sized mattresses for antique beds. The folks at John’s Trading Company invite you to drop in the next time you’re in Monroe and say hello or give them a call at 322-3168.  John’s Trading Company is located at 2207 DeSiard Street next to Lindz’s Cafe!