Napa, CA, January 13--For the past 26 years, Abbey Carpets Unlimited has served homeowners and businesses in Napa with their flooring needs, according to NapaNews.
The full-service flooring company at 1145 Jordan Lane sells and installs carpet, hardwood floors, ceramic tile and stone, owner Janice Clifton said. She said about 45 percent of Abbey Carpet's business is carpet sales.
Some people come to Abbey Carpets because their carpet is old or they're tired of the color, while others have carpet that has been damaged by pets or a flood, Clifton said. Abbey Carpets also has customers who are selling their homes and want to put in new carpet so their homes will sell more easily.
Abbey Carpets' 18,000-square-foot showroom features samples of "hundreds" of different types of carpet, including textured, berber and plush, Clifton said. She said the textured carpet is the most popular seller.
Most of Abbey Carpets Unlimited's carpet comes from Georgia and Los Angeles, so it takes a couple of weeks to get it in, Clifton said. The company has a limited amount of carpet in stock.
The cost of the carpet depends on what type it is and how much is needed, but the least expensive carpet is about $2 a square foot to install, Clifton said.
Abbey has 24 sales and support staff and 25 installers. Most sales staff have been with the company for 15 years, Clifton said. The sales staff do not get a commission, which enables customers to shop without feeling pressure, Clifton said.
What's Clifton's personal favorite out of everything Abbey Carpets sells? The hardwood floors. She has hard wood flooring in her home, plus a few area rugs, she said.
Virginia Humble, who owns rental homes in Napa, has been getting carpet from Abbey Carpets for about 25 years for her rental homes, as well as her own home, she said.
"They're very courteous, very helpful," said Humble, who has been a Napa resident since 1961. "I've never had a problem in all these years. They've been wonderful to work with. When I need new carpeting, I have always gone to Abbey Carpet. I like to shop with local businesses. It's something I like to do."
Cathy Clerici, a human resources administrative assistant for Napa County, has been an Abbey customer for more than 20 years, she said. Last year, she got hardwood flooring for her home from Abbey Carpets.
"You can't beat them for price and selection," she said. "The customer service is just out the world, the very best. They're always available, take time with you and they're very knowledgeable. They're not only sales associates, but they're friends, too."
Clerici also bought small area rugs from Abbey Carpets. She's brought her friends in and they've purchased linoleum and carpeting, she said.
Arron Kohlmeier, owner of Napa Valley Fence and Iron, got some "unique, light gray carpet" for his new home from Abbey Carpets in December.
"They're really great people over there," he said. "I wouldn't even consider Home Depot. Most small businesses in Napa support each other."
Abbey Carpets Unlimited is one of 700 Abbey Carpets stores nationwide that are independently owned and operated, Clifton said. Clifton and her father, John Hartley, bought the store in November 1985 from previous owner Pat Sibbet, who was one of Clifton's clients when she was an accountant. Prior to owning Abbey Carpets, Clifton was an accountant for two local CPA firms for 14 years, she said.
Clifton's husband, Jon, who has worked at Abbey Carpets for eight years, provides the business with technical help, Clifton said. Before joining Abbey Carpets, he worked at the Mare Island Ship Yard.
