October 30, 2008 Issue
Business Spotlight
Abbey Carpet & Floor—Eight Years in Boone, 50 Years in the Nation
Story by Sam Calhoun
What’s beneath your feet in your home? Do you like it, or are you dreaming of a new hardwood floor or maybe a nice fluffy carpet just in time for winter?
You are in luck because Boone’s got a one-stop shop for all your flooring and carpet needs at Abbey Carpet & Floor, located at 221 Boone Heights Drive in Boone.
“We carry anything that has to do with floors,” said Ken Cook, store manager.
Abbey Carpet & Floor of Boone opened in 2000, but the store is part of a chain that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Abbey Carpet & Floor’s showroom in Boone is fully stocked with colorful displays of the best and latest in flooring options, such as carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminate and ceramic tile. Five employees and four subcontractors are ready to assist customers in finding their perfect flooring fit and then are available to install the flooring at homes all over the High Country.
“We can do it all,” said Cook.
Because Abbey Carpet & Floor is part of a chain with close to 900 stores in 50 states, the corporation can buy in bulk and pass the savings on to customers.
Raised in Boone and educated at Hickory High School and Catawba Valley Technical Institute, Cook started his career working for Style Upholstery in Hickory. After 9 years with Style Upholstery, Cook decided to open his own business. In 1972, Cook opened not one but two businesses—Carpet Gallery and House of Upholstery. Both were located in Boone along Highway 105 in the current home of Mr. Original’s, a building Cook built. Cook sold both businesses in 1995 after 23 years and pursued other business ideas, but eventually accepted the offer to be store manager at Abbey Carpet & Floor when John Winkler bought the business from Curtis McAllister in 2003.
Cook likes working for a larger company such as Abbey Carpet & Floor.
“I like to be in a buying group. There’s a big advantage to it. You get cheaper prices and they provide you with training that you otherwise would not get,” explained Cook, who annually travels to a new product orientation that Abbey Carpet & Floor sponsors.
Because of Abbey’s buying power, the store now carries a selection of green flooring options, such as recyclable carpet and laminate flooring.
Cook said his employees’ attention to customer service is what sets his business apart from other flooring stores. He attributes his store’s large repeat customer base to his employees’ attention to detail and making the customer happy, from the time they enter the showroom until their new flooring is installed.
“Repeat business is one of the things we really go after,” said Cook.
Abbey Carpet & Floor is now offering flooring purchase and installation quotes from its website at www.abbeycarpet.com. The quotes are emailed to prospective customers free of charge.
Abbey Carpet & Floor is located at 221 Boone Heights Drive in Boone. The store and showroom are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, closed Sunday. For more information, call 828-265-3622 or click to www.abbeycarpet.com.
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