Bonita Springs, FL, May 26--Abbey Carpet is building a state-of-the-art training and sales production facility in North Naples that will serve as a prototype for its 800 stores nationwide, according to the News-Press of Fort Myers.
The company will use the new headquarters for marketing and sales training as well as a spot to shoot television commercials, photograph its carpeting and show in-store product displays.
"It will operate as an active retail facility while serving as the flagship and design model for all stores in the company," said chairman and chief executive officer Philip Gutierrez.
The new 18,000-square foot building will open in September.
It is being built in Royal Cove Plaza in the 13000 block of North Tamiami Trail.
The retail part of the building will feature more than 5,000 styles of carpet, more than 1,000 area rugs, and vinyl, hardwoods, laminates and ceramic tile.
Bill Wilson, marketing manager, said it will be the only company-owned retail store.
The company's competitive edge is its "national buying power, which helps lower prices," he said.
That makes Bonnie Riceman weary, but not worried about the store's presence in Naples, an area that has traditionally been receptive to independent business owners.
She has owned Naples Flooring Gallery on North Airport Road for the past three and half years, and she said business has gone very well.
She said family owned and operated stores such as hers stay steady in the market by ensuring quality customer service and customization, something she believes gets lost amid the chain stores.
