Feel-good flooring
By Beth Newcomb
At Brian Erickson’s Floorz, buying flooring is a friendly experience. Why does that matter? Because flooring, he says, should make you feel good.
“We play good music, we have friendly people who are ready to help, and we have thousands of different flooring options to make your home more livable, more inviting and just plain better,” he says.
But a trip to Floorz is more than just an exceptional shopping experience. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find out that the installers who put your new flooring in are employees of the company. They arrive in a professional van, are dressed in logoed Floorz garb, and they walk you through the process so you know exactly what to expect.
Among the sales staff immersed in the current trends and ready to guide you toward your dream floor is Brian’s daughter, Brooke Erickson, who also handles design.
And as an on-site owner, Brian is a constant presence in the store, handling the smallest details and making sure Floorz is always at the forefront in the industry.
And those in-store options? Brian spends hundreds of hours sourcing the best the industry has to offer, and he’s constantly updating his Floorz displays so you’ll have direct access to the hottest trends, the most fashion-forward colors and the latest technology.
“Our goal is to be the best flooring store in Northeast Ohio…the Nordstrom of flooring,” Brian proclaims. “Nordstrom is a trusted brand for a reason. We want to be on par with the best companies in the world.”
To prove his point, Brian shows me the area at the front of the store where he’s just completed an overhaul. New products have replaced some of the old, and a reorganization makes everything easier to find. And unlike flooring stores of days gone by, where you had to navigate through piles of samples in a time-worn store, Floorz is bright, clean and modern.
There are installed flooring samples throughout the showroom, so you can get a firsthand feel for how the options will perform in your own home. There are dozens of area rugs, so you can choose something trendy to go with your new solid surface floor. And there’s a competitive pricing structure, that Brian insists is designed to compete with any big box retailer.
“We will meet or beat any competitor’s quote,” he promises.
Brian, who has been in the industry for 20 years, is uniquely aware of what’s hot and what’s not. He knows which options will stand the test of time and why. And he’s more than happy to guide you toward the selection that makes the most sense for your home and your budget.
“Unlike some stores, we’re not focused on the bottom line,” he states. “Our focus is on our customers. They always come first. We’re here to create relationships, which is why most of our business comes from word-of-mouth referral.”
Brian says a lot of people don’t realize how bothered they are by their flooring until they walk on something better.
“It really can affect the quality of your life,” he notes. “Better carpeting with waterproof technology is easier to clean after pet or kid accidents. A quality luxury vinyl can change the look of a room completely, making it feel more relaxing and livable. It’s surprising how big a difference new flooring can make in your life.”
Floorz carries virtually every flooring brand, including Karastan, which this month marks its 90th year in business. Pay Brian and his team a visit to find out more.
Floorz is located at 143 Rothrock Road, in Copley, across the plaza from Home Depot. The phone number is 330-630-3330. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. For more information, visit YourFloorz.com.