Relocation boosts traffic at carpet store
John Giffin, john@emporiagazette.com
Friday, September 2, 2011
In order to lower overhead, lower prices and increase traffic to its storefront, Tanner’s Carpet LLC has left its West Sixth Avenue location and moved to downtown Emporia.
Tanner’s Carpet moved to its new store front location at 1101 Commercial St., Aug. 26 and is already seeing results in pedestrian traffic. The move to downtown prevented owner Ken Tanner from having to close his business. Tanner also rents warehouse space at 325 Commercial St.
“We had to move out of the other store because we couldn’t get financing,” said Tanner. “Nobody wants to give anybody a commercial loan right now.”
Sometime in June, Tanner decided it was time to move and began looking for alternative locations. It took about a month before he found a downtown area that is seeing a lot of renovation and development, something that attracted Tanner.
“I think we’re going to be really busy because of the Main Street action going on here,” said Tanner. “They’re putting in those new lofts and stores across the street. They’re really sprucing this end of Commercial Street. I think that is going to help.”
During the move, Tanner’s Carpet had to shut down its storefront for two days, something that has not slowed down Tanner’s work load. He is getting ready to start a project installing hardwood floors and ceramic tiles in a house at Lake Kahola, which will start a heavily scheduled next two months.
“We’re booking up to the second week in November right now,” said Tanner. “I’ve got a few weeks here and there, like a week here in October and a couple weeks here in November. We’re booking up that far ahead.”
Tanner has 28 years of experience in the carpet and flooring industry, 18 in Emporia. He started in flooring at Carpet Plus as a salesman and an installer. Among the projects on his extensive resume are St. Catherine Parish and Hope Community Church. Tanner said installing the ceramic tile at St. Catherine Parish was the largest project he has undertaken.
Before opening the storefront for Tanner’s Carpet in August 2009, Tanner worked as an independent contractor installing flooring for dealers in the area. Tanner decided he could give better personal service if he offered products as well as installation. Currently, Tanner employs a sales associate and two installers.
Tanner’s Carpet offer a wide variety of flooring including ceramic tile, laminates, hardwood flooring, engineered flooring, new plexi-tech and regular vinyl and residential and commercial carpeting.
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
If he is so busy then why did he move??? Kinda sounds ....off a little if you ask me.
September 3, 2011 at 6:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jackslap (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
September 3, 2011 at 7:04 a.m. ( permalink )