Michael Blanton of Dalton Carpet One Dies

Athens, GA, March 27, 2017—Michael Blanton, 62, founder and principal of Dalton Carpet One and DCO Commercial Floors based in Athens Georgia, died March 25.

Blanton started in the flooring business installing carpet for his mom’s in-home carpet business during summer break from high school. In 1978, he opened Dalton Carpet Outlet. The company was renamed in 1988 and locations were added in Gainesville, Eatonton and Lawrenceville. Blanton was both a Carpet One and Starnet member.

In 2016, Dalton Carpet One was number 61 on Floor Focus’ Retailer 100 list with $42 million in annual revenue. His retail business grew 15% in 2016 and about 70% of that business was repeat and referral business. One of the recipes for success was hiring interior designers to help his customers make decisions.

Blanton is survived by his wife, Kelley, and his children.

Visitation hours for Blanton will be held at First Baptist Church of Athens on March 29 at 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. followed by a brief graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery on Atlanta Highway.

A recent audio interview with Blanton can be found here: https://www.floordaily.net/flooring-interviews/mike-blanton-discusses-winning-as-an-independent-flooring-retailer-against-home-centers-and-the-inte728