A Wisconsin furniture company says it's still committed to delivering back-ordered sofas, tables and chairs to Roanoke-area customers who paid for furnishings at the now-closed Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Roanoke.

The independently owned retailer shut its doors unexpectedly last month after its owner, Baker Group International, said it is selling the location. The move angered many customers who had ordered, and in some cases paid for, furniture months ago, yet still have not received their items.

Representatives from Ashley Furniture Industries called customers during the week of Sept. 22 to arrange delivery dates, said Paulette Rippley, a spokeswoman for the company.

Though the Roanoke Ashley store was one of several owned by Baker Group International, "we're acting as good Samaritans just to help these customers," Rippley said Wednesday.

Deliveries are expected to begin in the next few weeks, she said.

One local customer, Kimberly Lowe of Roanoke County, said her order of more than $2,000 worth of furniture will be coming Oct. 24.

"I was very happy that I could get something," she said.

Some customers may receive their furniture earlier.

Joe Overfelt, former manager at the Roanoke Ashley store, said his $1,000 shipment is scheduled to arrive this weekend.

Overfelt ordered a love seat, a sofa, a table and two chairs to outfit a new building at his church, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

It's unclear whether Ashley Furniture will reopen its Roanoke store. Rippley said she did not know the future plans for the store on Valley View Boulevard, and she also would not disclose the status of the sale.

Right now "we're focusing on helping these customers" get their back-ordered furniture, Rippley said.

Meanwhile, at least one local furniture rental store is capitalizing on the closing of Ashley Furniture's Roanoke location.

"Get your Ashley Furniture here," states a sign in front of Rent-A-Center on Williamson Road in Roanoke.

Carlos Bingham, a customer account representative, said the store has always carried Ashley Furniture, but it decided to boldly market this selection once the local Ashley location closed. Customers can buy Ashley Furniture from a catalog at Rent-A-Center.

"We wanted to let people know we have it," Bingham said.