After working 13 years selling appliances for a major corporation, Richard Hansen grew tired of the impersonal customer relationships that came with rigid corporate guidelines.
“I feel that corporate America has lost touch with the American public,” Hansen said.
Motivated to open a store that met his own standards for quality and customer satisfaction, Hansen opened Lanyaps in May 2014. Lanyaps sells mattresses, appliances and unfinished furniture with an emphasis on offering American-made products.
Hansen served in the United States Army in the 1980s so he makes buying and selling goods made in America a priority.
“I’ve got Speed Queen,” Hansen said, “Speed Queen was the washer your grandmother used. It’s 100% mechanical and made in Ripon, Wisconsin.”
Hansen also sells the Whirlpool brand, an American company that only manufactures appliances and boasts the lowest instance of repair in the entire industry.
Lanyaps sells a variety of mattresses with brands including Memory Foa

m, King Koil and World Luxury. Duck Dynasty has a brand of mattress that Hansen expects will be in stock by this week. Lanyaps also sells some name brand mattresses at discounted prices.
For furniture, Hansen carries both Whitewood and Inwood brands, and he has also found a local finisher who he will be working with very soon to custom finish a variety of furniture to sell in the store.
“I really wanted to find a local guy that would do it,” Hansen said.
Hansen’s dedication to the community and the local customers was a big part of his inspiration for Lanyaps. With the freedom to speak to customers honestly about the quality products he chooses to sell, Hansen feels like he’s doing things the right way instead of just watching out for profit margins.
“We have a small town, and I’m in touch with my customers every day,” Hansen said. “For the little guy to make it here you depend on the local people.”
Customer service could be the “little something extra” the name implies, or Hansen might throw in a mattress cover as a thank you for a big purchase. He’s also been known to make deliveries after hours with the help of his sons.
“I’m trying to make Picayune a better place to shop and to stay,” Hansen said. “You get better service and a better product right here in town.”
Lanyaps is located at 3300 Highway 11 N. in Picayune, and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are closed on Sundays. For more information, visit the website at Lanyaps.net or call 601-798-4181.