Belltown furniture stores closing, changing focus

The Moscatel family is scaling back its number of furniture stores in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood.

The family has closed It's Gotta Go and La-Z-Boy Comfort Center on Western Avenue and will soon close Urban Interiors on First Avenue.

The family business will keep its Continental Furniture store at 2111 First Ave., as well as its Thomasville franchise store at 2101 First Ave.

The family plans a new retail concept for the space previously occupied by It's Gotta Go and will rent the Urban Interiors space to another retailer or possibly a restaurant, said part-owner Al Moscatel, whose grandfather created the business in 1946.

"We've been through all kinds of ups and downs, and we really feel like we know what the next phase of this business needs to be to keep us going," he said. "We're partnering with some of the best vendors and eliminating vendors that haven't been able to keep up with what's going on."

The family is turning its attention to selling "complete designs, rather than just selling pieces," and expanding its selection of small-scale furniture to appeal to condo and apartment dwellers, he said.

The Continental Furniture and Thomasville stores will begin selling items for up to 70 percent off on Friday.

The family owns Thomasville franchise stores in Bellevue and Tukwila; they, too, will mark down prices over the next few weeks.

Amy Martinez: 206-464-2923 or amartinez@seattletimes.com