On July 19th, 1965, Bud, Geneva Yazel and their children faced a tragedy that not only drastically changed
their lives, but also changed the face of the Smithville business community forever. The Little Platte River,
swollen from heavy local rains, flooded the town. Bud and Geneva lost everything to the flood. All they had left was their children, their car, their dog, and the clothes on their backs.
Soon after the flood, a good friend of Bud’s, Louis Kahn from Kansas City, asked Bud if he would like to quit working for Davidson’s Furniture and open his own business and that they could be partners in a furniture store in Smithville. Bud agreed to give it a try.
By October 1965 they were ready to open the store. They named it Kay Furniture. The KAY stood for "Kahn And Yazel." Bud and Geneva’s continual efforts helped them succeed enough to be able to move to a larger 4,000-5,000 square foot building on 169 highway only one year after they opened. Bud and Geneva ran the business from this location until 1969, when it was moved to the next building, south on 169.
In 1973 Bud and Geneva bought out Mr. Kahn and became sole owners of the business. They also purchased 3+ acres of land from Kindred, Halferty, and Hanks on 169 Highway south of downtown Smithville, where the present location is. They built a new 15,000 square foot building in 1974, expanding the business again.
Tragedy struck again 1975 when Bud’s untimely death shocked the family. Geneva decided to continue to operate the business after her great loss. Frank Thomas, son-in-law, took over as general manager of the business.
In 1983 the business was expanded again with an addition of a 10,0000 square foot warehouse and several new employees. In 1988 the decision was made to completely remodel the store again, adding over 27,0000 square feet of new warehouse and showroom, and in effect, doubling the size of the business. Another expansion was made in the late 90’s making the store a total of 63,000 square feet with 34,000 square feet in showroom.
Today, partners Frank Thomas and Mike Dale, along with Geneva's granddaughter Nicki Thomas still make Kay Furniture a family owned and operated business that has been serving the entire Kansas City metropolitan area for years, priding themselves in quality furniture with great customer service.