CONGO FIREPLACE & PATIO

Business keeps tradition aflame

It’s hard to imagine the retail landscape of Saline County without the presence of Congo Fireplace & Patio. The specialty retailer has been around since 1920, when it was started by general manager Bryan Maertens’ grandfather as a mercantile store.

Since then, the business has sold a variety of merchandise, including hardware, groceries, lumber, feed and wood stoves. Now, Congo sells fireplace and gas logs, gas grills and outdoor furniture.

“We have a service department and we strive to service what we sell,” Maertens said. “There are still a lot of consumers that want to buy from a dealer that stands behind their products and is able to service them.”

Congo Fireplace & Patio strives to provide customers with good-quality products at reasonable prices. Also, as a specialty retailer, the business always has unique and up-to-date products. It is important to the 17 staff members, who collectively have more than 50 years of experience, to be very knowledgeable about the store’s products.

“This is what sets us apart from other retailers,” Maertens said.

Maertens also said he believes it’s important to know the customer’s needs and for employees to fill those needs in the best way possible.

Congo Fireplace & Patio carries an extensive line of wood and pellet stoves and inserts, and has the largest selection of gas grills and outdoor furniture in central Arkansas, he said. Additionally, the store has 30 live burning displays.

The business is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.