Our History
Solid Comfort was formed in March 1981 by Charles (Chip) and Barbara Larkin. Soon after, Chip’s father, Russ Larkin and close friend George Marchand joined the company as 25% stockholders. Chip eventually acquired all remaining shares in 1994. The company originally operated out of a 12,500 square foot building on the present location, and at that time built solid pine and oak office, family room, dining room, and bedroom furniture. The products were marketed in company-owned retail stores in Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota, and in Edina and Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
The new company was featured in the March 1982 issue of the Fargo Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. Chip Larkin is quoted in that publication: “Selling a diversified line of solid wood furniture for both home and office use direct to the customer has proven to be a very successful concept.”
However, by 1984–85 the target market for Solid Comfort products had shifted to hospitality furniture and cabinets.
Today the operation has expanded to a totally remodeled facility of over 100,000 square feet. Many state-of-the-art machines are used in the manufacturing process. Solid Comfort serves the North American market as an endorsed or approved vendor for many of the major hotel brands and independents. Over the years we have developed close relationships with leading organizations, such as Best Western International, Choice Hotels International, AmericInn International, Hilton Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Wyndham Worldwide, Marriott International, LaQuinta, Carlson Companies, as well as independent development management companies.