After a two-and-a-half year absence on Roanoke Avenue, a familiar business with a longstanding tradition is returning.

Greg Edwards said Tuesday he expects Rest E-Z at Shell Furniture to be open the first week in November. “As soon as we get it painted.”

Between the void left by Shell closing and its return, Edwards said there were details which needed to be worked out to bring the store back.

With those plans now in place the store is being stocked with traditional brand furniture it has sold throughout its more than 100-year history and new additions which include outdoor furniture and grills, Edwards said. “It feels like I’m back home. It’s exciting to see.”

The store will offer the same service it has in the past, Edwards said. “It will be top quality. We take pride in what we sell.”

The lines will include name brands which consist of solid bedroom furniture including adjustable beds. There will be dining room furniture and top of the line upholstery including recliners, sofas and lift chairs. “Nothing much is going to change.”

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At the time of its closing, Shell was the oldest business in Roanoke Rapids and it began when L.G. Shell began serving Roanoke Valley customers with clothing, food and furniture in 1904 at the corner of Eleventh Street and Roanoke Avenue, home now to Roanoke Rapids City Hall and the police station.

In the early 1930s Shell moved to its current location at 931 Roanoke Avenue.

Cliff Daniel, who was owner of Shell between 1975 and 2017, knows the building and business intimately, having began working with Taylor Furniture in 1957.

Taylor was on one side of the building and Shell was on the other.

Taylor sold out to Johnson Stores in 1969 and Daniel was made manager in 1974 before Johnson Stores went out of business a year later.

That’s when Daniel and Bill Shell decided to take over the Taylor building and business boomed. “It just grew and grew until 2008 when the economy fell.”

Even then Shell did OK, Daniel said.

With his health becoming an issue, Daniel said he decided to close up.

Even in its relatively short absence from the avenue, Daniel said, “Everybody told me how much they miss the store.”

When Daniel called to tell a Shell family member the store was reopening, he said, “She told me she was thrilled to death.”

Daniel said the store will be successful with Edwards, his stepson, leading the business. “He brings 42 years experience and a willingness to work. He’s always been a good worker. People love Greg.”

Edwards is happy to revive the business. “I think it’s really cool. I think people are going to enjoy shopping here. I hope it can bring more business to the avenue.”

The reopening of the store has been welcome news to Roanoke Rapids Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle. “We’re very grateful see a revival of a store which has such a long history in our city.”

Furniture, whether antique or repurposed, has done well in the uptown business district, Caudle said. “What we have missed is having a store dedicated to new furniture on the avenue.”

Caudle said generations have shopped at Shell. “There are many, many people who have filled their houses with Shell furniture. I anticipate the foot traffic from Shell will benefit other businesses.”

Not only does the reopening of what she described as an iconic business bring hope for the future of the avenue, “Being a new business with a local owner, I think the dollars stay locally. It makes a lot of difference in a small community.”