Lillie's Furniture Gallerie — Local services in Bowie

I wanted to visit this store for a while. I'd driven past several times and noticed the beautiful decor from the store front. I'm actually in the process of decorating my master bedroom and decided today was perfect. I was immediately greeted by the owner and told I could look around. While on the phone with my interior designer, I found beautiful accent pillows. I quickly FaceTime'd her just to see if the pillows would go well with our overall plan. A man, who I assume to be the owners husband was there and I asked how much the pillows were as there was no price tag on either of the 3 present. After agreeing on the pillows with the designer I told him that I'd like to purchase 2. The man then became irritated that I was on FaceTime and stated "We prefer our customers come in to see our designs. We don't do FaceTime and all that." I explained to him that I was in fact the customer and I was consulting with my interior designer. He then stated again in an abrasive manner that they don't want video recording or FaceTime in the store. Turned off by his attitude, I told the owner I no longer needed the pillows and walked out before she handed my sister-in-law a flyer. I called the owner a short time later and kindly explained my discontent with my initial transaction with because in reality I really did want the pillows, more importantly, I wanted to support a fellow black owned business. I explained that the mans response was abrasive and unprofessional. To my surprise she asked if he was loud. I responded no, just abrasive. She said "well that doesn't even make sense because you can't not be loud and abrasive. That's not how we do business. We don't allow recording in the store." To note there were no signs that I saw at the time of visit that stated that. If there had been notice, I would have respected their wish. If the owner kindly stated, we don't FaceTime or recording in the store, I also would oblige. The owner actually defended the poor customer service. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this business, nor will I patronize them in the future. It's sad, because I really wanted to support a local BOB.

Update: The response the owner wrote is an absolute fabrication! I actually came in and told her how excited I was to finally come in. Never once did I raise my voice. Again, after her "security guard" was rude, I simply and respectfully said I no longer needed the 2 pillows I intended to purchase. If I was so rude and disrespectful, why would she give me a business card/flyer? Secondly, I remember a much different phone conversation. She did ask if he was calm, I told her he wasn't loud, but he was abrasive.

Lastly, to imply that I am a person of "low class" is laughable. I have no reason to take valuable time out of my day to deliberately sabotage someone's business. It appears the owner is holding on to her business by thin thread. It's sad but amusing that her only defense to an honest review was to tell a complete lie. It's okay. You live and you learn. I will continue to patronize establishments that prioritize customer service, honesty...

I visited this store a couple of weeks ago for the second time. The second time to purchase a lamp. that I spotted and liked, just wasn’t sure I had a place for it at the time I saw it. I write this review with much reluctance, because I actually enjoyed our conversation and because the owner was very friendly and informative about her merchandise I really wanted to support her business. We had nice conversations about the beautiful items in her showroom. I was excited to purchase the lamp when I returned for the second time. I was taken by surprised when I was told she would not sell me the lamp. The lamp that was clearly for sale with price and all attached . I wanted to know why I could not purchase the lamp at this time. I made space for this item. So you can imagine my disappointment. She gave several excuses that went from a designer will be visiting the showroom that day and I have nothing to put in the place of the lamp, to the lamp is no longer available and I won’t be able to order another one to, I can’t let it go because I’m awaiting mirrors to arrive to put in that space. Oh btw, she had many beautiful pieces and mirrors already in the store to fill in, what she called “blank” space. She promised she would call the following week to let me know when I can pick it up, needless to say, she never phoned. She’ll probably use another excuse like she misplaced my phone number, if asked. She even tried to sell me a lamp I didn’t want and I just found her tactics unprofessional and just rude. It just occurred to me that she may not have wanted to honor the 15 percent off coupon I had. She gave me the coupon herself the first time I visited. My recommendation to anyone visiting this establishment, give your business to merchants that are honest, appreciate your business and respectful of your time and money. I will not recommend shopping at this retail furniture to none of my family or friends. Go to Restoration Hardware or Ahaus instead. You’ll get quality merchandise...

First let me say I loved the fact that there was a new furniture store in Bowie & I was excited to find out it was black owned. Since I need to furnish several rooms and/or get some accent pieces for a few, I was really excited to take a look. I have visited this store twice now & unfortunately I was disappointed both times. The first time was over a year ago & I walked in after picking up my dinner from chipotle. The owner was there at a desk working & quickly got up to ask if there was food in the bag & if I would mind taking back to my car. She stated she didn’t want me walking around the store with it. I found that to be a reasonable request however I informed her my car was all the way on other side of the lot & asked her if she wouldn’t mind maybe sitting at the desk with her while I walked around. She then suggested I just sit the food down on the floor by the door. SMH. I said no thank you I will come back another time. Fast forward to today a year passes and I decided to revisit with hopes of better customer service. Not a chance…this time I went to the door on a Tuesday at 2:30 to find the doors locked…on the door states “by appointment”. However again the owner was sitting there..so I wave to her, when she came to the door I ask are you only open by appointment she say yep…and says nothing else. I was expecting her to at least offer an option for scheduling an appointment or even offer to let me look around especially since the store was empty. Not a chance! Why would any business owner make it difficult to spend money with them. I am sad to say I will never attempt to spend money at this establishment again nor will I refer others. I probably should have read the reviews before visiting as this seems to be a pattern that there is both the lack of customer service & accountability for bad...