If you’ve ever walked through the doors of Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet — whether in Woodstock, Dallas, Rome, Covington, Canton, or Douglasville — you might’ve noticed something a little different about us. It’s not just our laid-back, friendly environment. Or our wide, ever-changing selection of furniture, mattresses, and home décor. No, it’s also the people — the folks who guide you through finding the right sofa, help you load up your truck, or answer your delivery questions with care and patience.
There’s a reason for that. The truth is that everyone here has a very real stake in your satisfaction, because we all earn shares of ownership in the company over time. That’s because, in December of 2021, Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet officially became an employee-owned company through something known as an ESOP.
If that’s a new term to you, you’re not alone. But this change is an important part of our identity, and it’s something we’re proud to share more about publicly. Scroll on for more about what an ESOP is, what led to these changes, and what it means for you as our customer.
What Is an ESOP, Exactly?
ESOP stands for Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Simply put, it’s a way for a company to share ownership with the very people who help build and maintain it every day — the employees.
Here's how it works:
- The company gradually transfers shares of ownership to its employees.
- Employees don’t have to buy in like they would with purchasable stock options — ownership is naturally and automatically earned over time as part of their benefits.
- Everyone shares in the rewards when the business succeeds.
The structure in an ESOP isn’t just about titles or technicalities, it’s about fostering a deep sense of ownership, accountability, and pride across the team. As a result, every person you meet in our showrooms, offices, or warehouses, is not just an employee, they’re also a partner in the ownership of this company.
How, When & Why Did This Happen?
Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet has deep roots in the Cherokee County and Cobb County areas of North Georgia. When we first opened our doors back in 1988, JR Aaron saw an opportunity to serve the community through a small storefront on Hwy 5 in Woodstock.
At the time, we sold returns, overstocks, and scratch-and-dent items from major catalog stores like Sears and Service Merchandise. Furniture wasn’t even part of the plan — at least not at first. But after adding mattresses, then closeout furniture a few years later, we found our calling: helping customers create the home environments they truly wanted, all without pressure or pretense.
As the area around Woodstock grew, so did we. From that humble 6,000 square foot store, we’ve expanded to a 100,000 square foot flagship showroom, multiple satellite locations, and a modern distribution center to better serve our neighbors. But through all of that growth, one thing never changed: our mission to serve our Lord, our community, and our customers with honesty, integrity, and real human care.
By 2021, as the Aaron Family looked to the future, they faced an important question:
How can we protect everything we’ve built — our values, our team, and our hometown focus — for generations to come?
Rather than sell to a national chain or private investor, they made the intentional choice to pass the torch to the people who helped grow this business from the ground up — our employees.
What Does Employee Ownership Mean for You, Our Customer?
From the outside, not much has changed since then. As always, we still offer:
- Everyday low prices without sales gimmicks
- A wide, ever-changing selection of furniture, mattresses, and home décor curated by our experienced merchandising team, ranging from custom pieces to closeouts
- Knowledgeable team members who genuinely want to help you transform your house into the home you’ve always wanted
- Service that puts people first, not profits
But behind the scenes, something powerful is happening. Our team is more connected than ever before to the day-to-day operations of our company — successes and failures included. When you shop at Woodstock, you’re talking to someone who doesn’t just work here, they own a piece of the business. As a result, the reward for excellence in customer satisfaction is far more than just a paycheck.
Here’s what that means:
- Fewer hand-offs, more accountability. Our employee-owners are motivated to answer your questions honestly, make sure they get your order right, and ensure that you’re pleased with your experience.
- Straightforward pricing — our pricing is consistent year-round with minimal sales or promotions to “wait on”.
- Help that educates — even if that means pointing you elsewhere. Our experts will recommend what’s best for you…period.
In short, when customers are fully satisfied, it’s a win for the customer, a win for the company and a win for every team member who helped make it happen.
Built on Faith. Rooted in Community. Powered by People.
From our first store on Hwy 5 to our latest furniture and mattress stores across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet has always been about more than just furniture. Many of our employee-owners have spent decades serving and caring for the needs of our customers.
We’re your neighbors. We go to church with you. Our kids and grandkids go to school with yours. And we’ve always believed that treating people right is the foundation of lasting success. That hasn’t changed — and it never will.
As an employee-owned company, our commitment to fair prices, honest service, and community connection is stronger than ever. And we’re thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to serve you with renewed purpose, as we continue to grow — together.
So the next time you walk through our doors, know this:
You’re not just shopping at a store.
You’re supporting a team of local people who truly care.
And now, more than ever, you’re part of the story.
From the Aaron Family and all of us here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet — thank you for your trust, your business, and the chance to serve you for many more years to come!
Have more questions about Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, or need a little guidance on your next home furnishing journey? Drop by any showroom, use our quick and easy live chat, or give us a call — our employee-owners are happy to help!
