Fargo Retailer Moves to New Location

Fargo, ND, May 18--The locally owned floor coverings outlet, Carpet World has purchased land and is building a larger outlet at 4601 17th Ave. S. in Fargo, near Home Depot, according to the Forum. "We feel very strongly that 45th Street will be the city's main business corridor, from Main Avenue to 52nd Avenue South, for many years to come," said Lynn Puhr, managing partner in the business. Carpet World has been in business for 36 years, the last 27 operating out of a leased 1,500-square-foot strip mall store at 3215 13th Avenue S.W. Rolls of carpet are piled high in the cramped quarters. Aisles are narrow in a warehouse and shipping area that winds behind Straus Clothing. What should take 10 minutes can take as many as 45 because of all the stock that has to be moved to get to a selected carpet roll or flooring stock. "We've just continued to grow. Success is terrific, but you can only push so much merchandise out of this space," Puhr said. The new 22,000-square-foot building will allow Carpet World to better compete with "the 800-pound gorillas," as Puhr refers to big-box retailers selling carpet and floor covering. The $2 million building was designed by Hunter-Grobe Architects-Planners of Fargo and is being constructed by T.F. Powers Construction of Fargo. In addition to having more floor space, it has a 19-foot ceiling to handle upright storage of carpet rolls. Carpet World is owned by Jerry Kautzman, Bruce Kautzman, Puhr, Terry Meyer and Mike Conlon. Carpet World sold only carpet when Jerry Kautzman opened it in 1968 on Fargo's Main Avenue. In 1977 it took on lines of other floor coverings, including wood, tile and laminates. It has been in its present location since 1978. "The average 2,200 square foot house, 30 years ago, was 80 percent carpeted," Puhr said. "Today it's maybe 40 percent, and the rest is laminates and ceramic tiles." Jim Ingberg, territory manager for Mohawk Industries, a national carpet company, has worked with Carpet World for 30 years. "Their growth has been unbelievable, and it's all been done on friendship and a handshake," Ingberg said. "Their repeat business comes because of that reason. No smoke and mirrors. They take care of the customer and have fair prices." Carpet World has 16 employees. It also serves as a hub for a network of carpet and flooring installers. Bruce Kautzman said more than 80 percent who buy from Carpet World have their flooring installed by a professional. "People don't have a lot of extra time anymore," Kautzman said. "They might tackle painting, but when it comes to flooring, most of the time, not." Kautzman said Carpet World serves customers at a variety of price points. "I started my day the other day in a modest mobile home and ended it in a 7,000-square foot home," he said. "It doesn't matter. People take a lot of pride in their homes." Much of Carpet World's carpet and flooring these days is being installed in new homes, as metropolitan Fargo-Moorhead's home building industry continues its torrid run. Puhr estimates that 40 percent of what they're selling is going into new construction. Carpet World also has success landing contracts for new apartments and apartment carpet replacement. "They seem to have enough installers to meet my needs," said Jerry Feder, owner of Feder Properties, which has apartment buildings and commercial properties. "Timing is always an issue." Thankfully, Kautzman said, replacing flooring and carpeting for existing homes tends to pick up when new housing construction slows. The average turnaround time on a carpet buy is 10 to 12 years, Puhr said. "The typical person buys floor covering four times in their lives," he said, adding that flooring is generally the No. 3 life purchase behind your home and your vehicle. "Nothing is used and abused more than your carpet," Puhr said. "It does it's job so well that we take it for granted."

Related Topics:Coverings, Mohawk Industries, Armstrong Flooring

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