Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Bringing big ideas to life
Even if you’ve never visited Joe Ellis Upholstery and Fabrics on McNelly Road in Bentonville, even if you still haven’t gotten around to reupholstering that one chair of yours, chances are you’ve come in contact with the work of Ellis Upholstery. You’ve seen it in the shoe department at Dillards, at Crystal Bridges, at your car dealership, your gym, in the dentist chair, the chiropractor’s office, or at your favorite bar or restaurant.
“We do a little bit of everything,” Joe laughs.
What started as a modest shop by Joe a little over 10 years ago has grown into one of the most trusted and sought-after upholsterers in Northwest Arkansas. Now, there is a designer and a team of about a dozen ready to bring ideas to life, no matter how big or small the vision.
Joe Ellis Upholstery is an integral part of the building and housing boom going on in Northwest Arkansas. They work with contractors, big and small, on new commercial and residential builds. Clients and cabinet shops as far away as Little Rock call on Joe Ellis and his team for the upholstery portion of commercial projects. Designers often have furniture shipped to the shop for custom work.
While the scope of the business has grown, Joe and his team are still strictly devoted to the details, and to producing the finished product on time. Because in addition to being able to deliver on a dream, a business like his has to be able to deliver on a dime, especially when it comes to commercial work. A restaurant or doctor’s office can’t just shut down to get their furniture reupholstered. With a team and a truck, Joe Ellis Upholstery can do a combination of on-site work, pick-up and delivery to ensure the most seamless transition for businesses.
With literally thousands of fabrics to choose from in the Ellis Fabrics side of the storefront, it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. Everything is conveniently displayed, and arranged by color and type of fabric (outdoor, leathers, brocades, velvets, etc). Huge leather pelts are suspended from the ceiling, rolls of fabrics arranged by color, stacks of sample books line the walls of the design room, bolts of remnants in the bargain room.
Although the business is growing, it’s obvious that Joe— just like when he first began in this business—is energized by a challenging project, loves working out the details, is passionate about a perfect seam, a flawlessly smooth curved cushion, the impeccable meeting of form and function.
Joe Ellis Upholstery and Ellis Fabrics are located at 8822 W. McNelly Road in Bentonville. Joe Ellis Upholstery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Ellis Fabrics is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit joeellisupholstery.com, or call (479) 657-6868 for all of your upholstery and fabric questions.