"Hank" of Hank's Fine Furniture dead at 82

Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 8:36 AM

By Coleman Smith

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports that Hank Browne, furniture store chain founder, has died.

Browne founded 18 stores across four states including a location in Harrison that replaced another furniture chain in recent years.

Browne was born January 11, 1940 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. His furniture stores started out as "Freight Sales Furniture Stores" with locations in Fort Smith, Russellville, and North Little Rock in the 1980's. That became "Hank's Discount Fine Furniture" in 1995 and later shortened to "Hank's Fine Furniture."

Browne's oldest daughter, Mary Browne Allen, is currently the president of the company.

Congressman Steve Womack posted a memorial to Browne on Twitter that reads, "It's with great sadness, I learn of the loss of my dear friend Hank Browne. Everyone in Arkansas knows his signature line: "Hank's FIIINE Furniture." You can hear the jingle in your head as you read it. An extraordinary business leader and avid outdoorsman—he'll be sorely missed."

Read the full story from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette here.