Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company, founded by Harold Coffey, began in Lenoir, North Carolina in 1907. Along with friends and competitors, James Broyhill and John Bernhardt, Harold became one of the early leaders who established the North Carolina furniture industry. Kent-Coffey collections of the 1950s-1970s became very popular due, in part, to their reputation of being solidly built and priced so the average consumer could afford to purchase them; but, most of all for their beautiful designs. The same is true now with their new-found audience.