Exhibit 99b CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly Report of Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending August 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I Barry C. Safrit, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ BARRY C. SAFRIT ---------------------------------- Barry C. Safrit Vice President, Chief Financial Officer 21 of 21