What began as a church ministry in Raleigh more than 40 years ago has grown into a thriving family business — potentially poised to pass onto a third generation.
Rainbow Upholstery & Furniture Company was founded by the late Delores Glenn in 1983 and previously located in different spaces across Downtown Raleigh on West Street, Capital Boulevard, Hillsborough Street, and Glenwood Avenue, Rainbow Upholstery & Furniture Company is now owned by Delores’ son, Chuck, and his wife, Karla Bullock.
The Bullocks, have been residents of Wake Forest since 2003. After searching for a spot closer to home, the couple moved the business to what they said would be its final location at 5101 K-L Unicon Drive in Wake Forest’s South Forest Industrial Park in 2017.
Wrapped within two paralleled 2,000-square-foot spaces, the wide range of exquisite fabrics and great customer service are all available in one space. Chuck Bullock and his three trusted staff members, each of whom has been with the company for 30, 17, and 11 years, respectively, do the expert upholstery work in the space next door.
Born in Long Island, NY, Chuck moved to Raleigh in 1979 when he was 13. His mother Delores “Dewbaby” Glenn was born in Warrenton and graduated from both Meredith College and Duke Divinity School.
“My mother started a ministry in order to help women coming out of prison,” Chuck said. “She spent many hours ministering and counseling at the Women's Prison on Bragg Street in Raleigh.”
A man named David Bishop, who had taught an upholstery class at the prison and was retiring, spoke to Delores about opening a place where he could continue this work. She did just that, operating a transitional home on Person Street in Raleigh — where more than 100 women went through her ministry program, many learning the skills required to succeed in the upholstery business.
"Not everyone can go to college,” Chuck said. “And if you can learn a trade like this you can go anywhere in the world and make a great living.”
When Delores died on Dec. 26, 2011, despite her funeral date not being publicized at that time her spirit drew a crowd of 300.
Karla Bullock grew up in Greensboro and moved to Raleigh in 1991 to attend North Carolina State University. Chuck attended St. Augustine’s University, and the couple met in Raleigh. Chuck and Karla have been together for 32 years and married for 26.
“Rainbow is Delores’ creation,” Karla said. “We just took over when she was ready to stop. Until then, what she said went.”
Both Karla and Chuck learned and know a few things about the art and economics of upholstery themselves. A noted Raleigh designer named Dan Fulkerson said of Chuck, “There’s not a person around here who can do what you do.”
The couple also has three children, and everyone in the family is part of the business in some way.
When Delores retired from Rainbow Upholstery & Furniture Company in 2008, she started a church on the first floor of the building the family had bought at 911 N. West Street, where she often fed home-cooked meals and ministered to the “houseless" — even providing a ride if it was needed.
Soon after her passing in 2011, the Raleigh real estate market began outpricing the upholstery business, and it was time to start thinking about a change.
“Business is good,” Chuck said of the 8-10 projects they do a week.
The fabric store is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. With a wide selection of well-priced fabrics and a reasonable labor rate, this niche market keeps customers with heirloom or antique furniture coming through the door regularly. With demanding standards first set by Delores, Chuck, and Karla keep everyone happy and on their toes.
“We love it,” Chuck said. “Just about everyone in our family has spent some time in the business — sons, a daughter, nieces and nephews. Our kids’ after-school program was Rainbow Upholstery.”
Inspired by Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition, the couple says they love every color — especially purple, which was Delores’ favorite.
In terms of advertising and competition, Chuck said they mostly rely on word of mouth — often from generation to generation — and that there’s not much competition at this level. “For people who demand the best, this is the place,” he said.
“Wake Forest is proud to be the home of a shop with such high-quality standards that provides this valuable service,” said Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership (WFBIP). “What started as a way to help those in transition has developed into a multi-generational family business. Entrepreneurs like these are essential engines of economic development. We wish the Bullocks every success as they move forward into the next generation.”
