Respecting history while moving forward
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Flooring Canada president Jacob Bisschop is respecting the past even as he moves his company forward into the future.
“History is important,” he said on the eve of Thursday’s grand opening ceremony at the newly-renovated 163 Tillson Ave. facility.
Flooring Canada is leasing 10,000 square feet of the former Norfolk Leaf tobacco warehouse, an effective tripling of the 3,200 available at its previous 216 Tillson Ave. location. A photograph of the former facility, circa 1958, is on prominent display, illustrating its classic exterior.
“History is important,” said Bisschop, noting a woman recently noticed the photo, remarking her father had worked there for 35 years. “There is a connection, and we have to keep that fresh.”
Flooring Canada’s interior showroom – it would be fair to call it a gallery – pays homage to that history, an open concept featuring exposed renovated original brick walls, beams and ceiling joists.
“Purposely,” said Bisschop, who says the wide-open space has functional as well as aesthetic appeal, framing product, floor inserts and design tables.
“We needed more room and parking is excellent here, easy in and out. It’s very customer-friendly.”
Bisschop has been active in the flooring business in Tillsonburg since 1991, and while the economy is perceived to present a challenge in some sectors, believes moving forward is as, or more important now, than ever in a community which has been supportive over the years.
“You have to move forward and because you move forward, you get interest.”
Flooring Canada moved from its previous location in mid December, says Bisschop, celebrating the shift with Thursday’s grand opening. The company continues to offer a full range of flooring (including carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and ceramic) products, essentially speaking, more of the same.
“But bigger, people will have a lot more options,” said Bisschop.
The community has continued to be supported, he added, pleased with numbers through a typical quieter flooring season, surprising considering the month (January) and how cold it’s been.
“I think it’s important at this time people get to see what you can do,” he concluded. “Here, we are showing what we can do.”