Pinellas Park, FL, January 6, 2006-- The success of the Carpet Barn, a 16-year-old floor covering retail operation, is the result of good customer service, fair prices and first-rate products, according to the Pinellas Park Beacon.
They sell and install carpeting, laminates, stone, tile and vinyl. “Service is important,” said Richard Ekstrand, manager. “That’s why we enjoy so much repeat business.” If it’s not at the Park Boulevard location then it’s probably at a second store located at 1750 N. Missouri Ave. in Largo.
The Pinellas Park building has an interesting history. Built as a service station and garage, it housed other establishments over the years before becoming The Carpet Barn 15 years ago.
The history of floor covering dates back to prehistoric man who happened upon a method of forming thread from twisted grass and hair. Evidence obtained from recent excavations near the Caspian Sea, located between Asia and Europe, indicates that sheep and goat shearing produced early floor covering as early as 6000 B.C.
Ekstrand, a Chicago native who moved here in 1965, found a home at the Barn after working for chain carpet stores.
“The chains and big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s can’t compete when it comes to price and service,” Ekstrand said.
He said the big stores often miss installation deadlines and product is often poor. Plus, Ekstrand said, there are always hidden costs.
“We do not charge for measuring rooms,” Ekstrand said. “We also provide customized service. One of our installers has been with us for nine years.”
The trend today is to cover floors with tile and other hard surfaces, with emphasis on throw rugs, which the Barn also sells.
With a wide variety of coverings on hand, the company can special order products. Arrangements also can be made for zero financing.
“We work with people and do not talk them into something they don’t want,” Ekstrand said.
