Two Florida Flooring Stores Merge

Sarasota, FL, Jan. 19, 2012 -- G. Fried Flooring of Sarasota has merged with Flooring America of Tampa, according to Gulf Coast Business Review.

G. Fried, which has operated in Sarasota since 1972, was purchased by Flooring America about four years ago. Since then, the two stores have operated as G. Fried Flooring America.

Both are now owned by Sergenian's, an 82-year-old residential and commercial flooring company based in Madison, Wis.

The merger took effect Jan. 1.

"We combined the two Florida companies under one umbrella for advertising and operational purposes," Rufus Ashby, who will remain president of the Florida stores, told the newspaper.

Ashby said Tuesday the combined company will have $25 million in annual sales. Of that, $10 million will be generated by the Florida operation.