Gray's Furniture & Boutique — Local services in Mount Pleasant

I had the tremendous misfortune of renting an apartment from the Grays in Mount Pleasant almost two years ago. (The Grays keep it VERY quiet that they also own rental buildings in Mount Pleasant with no identifying information whatsoever on their "for rent" signs indicating who they are. And their leases say "Gray Apartments", i.e., no "s" after the word "Gray").

Although I was informed when I first looked at the apt that a single woman my age lived in the apt. next door (it was a very old house divided into apts, side by side) this turned out unfortunately to be a blatant lie. That woman was nowhere to be seen. Instead a number of young men occupied that apt. who were operating a major drug distribution hub out of it. People were coming and going overnight every single night, cigarette butts all over the front lawn every morning.

And about a month after my moving in there was a big fight in apt. next store which brought the police to the property. But Rosemary Gray and her husband Mike, by that time down for their regular 3 month stay in Florida, continued to deny and actively try to cover up what was really going on there..And, to add insult to injury, they gaslighted me, insinuating that it was all in my imagination. But after requesting information from Isabella county 911 with a FOIA request I discovered there had been other incidents with police involving those same individuals dating back at least three years.

I lived there in complete terror for 2.5 months, being scared to go to sleep at night and terrified to take my dog out late at night as there were always random people pulling up in their vehicles both out back as well as in the front. Since Rosemary, however, continued to refuse to admit what was really going on -- and therefore obviously not doing anything about it--I had to take the initiative out of fear for my safety and break my lease. Although I moved out by the agreed-upon time of 3 pm on March 3 (a few days after her return from FLA) I never got either my month's rent or damage deposits back. She retained $1800 of my money for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

But I have not yet even described what the CONDITION of the property was . On the day I moved in I couldn't stop coughing. I subsequently found out that the furnace had NEVER been serviced in all their years of ownership--which I learned from the HVAC man who eventually came to look at it). The furnace filter was pitch black from dirt and small particles of rubber that had accumulated from an ancient -- the original?-- fan belt that was filthy and full of cracks. Very old windows, most without storms, that leaked cold air yet I was expressly forbidden to cover windows with plastic or use a space heater. A room off the side of the house that reached 40 degrees during the winter. No guttering... Let's just say it was in very stark contrast to the "Xmas furniture showroom" in Gray's Furniture Store and...

I wanted to make a purchase with a small-town, family-owned furniture store from my hometown. Gray's was the obvious choice for me. From the time I called and spoke with Paul, he made me feel comfortable and confident in making the purchase of a power chair for my father. From start to finish, he was professional and considerate. He promptly sent me texts with pictures of options and information. He reached out when another customer showed interest in a chair with the same specifications, to see if he should continue to hold it for me. He resolved a Point of Sale issue we faced, and sent the receipt as soon as it was purchased. Paul was flexible with delivery and said he would text me after delivery to let me know how it went. I would 100% recommend Gray's for any...

What a wonderful place! I loved the history behind this building and the wonderfully accommodating staff! Paul especially was very welcoming and even though we didn't leave with a purchase, simply having the pleasure to explore this monster of a building was a pleasantry in and of itself! I will most definitely be making my next furniture purchase from these guys. If only to see this wonderful building again! Thanks for the wonderful evening and for allowing me to explore both the wide variety of inventory you guys have and appreciate the building in which...