Wilcox Furniture

About Us

Established in 1952, Wilcox Furniture has been a family owned anchor business on Main Avenue for 72 years. Custom upholstery, case goods, dining room and bedroom sets, mattresses, patio furniture, flooring and window treatments are all available at Wilcox Furniture. We invite you to visit our showroom and experience the comfort of fine furniture.

According to the Clear Lake Historical Society, the first furniture store in Clear Lake was opened in 1872 by RW Catlin. In the 1930s, the space was occupied by Williams Funeral Home. Like many funeral homes at that time, Bert Williams also owned a furniture store next door to his business. It was common during this time period for furniture makers to also make and sell caskets. The far east section of Wilcox Furniture was known as McGowan Hardware.
The west section was the People’s Gas and Electric office.

In 1946, Wendell and Lucille Wilcox moved from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mason City, Iowa as a salesman for Mother’s Best Flour. As fate would have it, one of his customers, Clear Lake grocery store owner, Earl Ashland informed Wendell that the furniture/funeral store was for sale. In 1947, Wendell and Lucille purchased the two businesses from Mr. Bert Williams.

By 1951, Wendell started construction on a new funeral home on 7th Avenue North in Clear Lake. Wayne, his younger brother, brought his family to Clear Lake that same year. Wayne was 38 when he purchased the store in 1952. His wife, Nell, and daughter, Janelle moved to Clear Lake as well. Janelle still owes the furniture store.