Elite Flooring in La Grange now offers special financing.
The business was established more than 20 years ago by Freddie Beaman. When he retired, Thomas Drew, who owns Elite Flooring and Interiors in Winterville, purchased it about four years ago.
The La Grange store, with about 2,000 square feet of showroom, has been managed since then by William Johnson and George Pittman, who transferred from the Winterville store and have more than 25 years of flooring experience.
The store features a variety of flooring — hardwood, laminates, resilient, ceramic tile, carpet and the latest, luxury vinyl tile. LVT simulates tiles or wood, Pittman said.
“The luxury vinyl tiles have taken off real well,” he said. “… It is a vinyl composite that is completely waterproof.”
It’s ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms, laundry rooms and commercial applications, and is pet-friendly and suitable for people with disabilities.
“It kind of gives (disabled homeowners) the look that they want and the durability,” Pittman said.
Elite Flooring provides installation sub-contractors exclusive to the store.
“We’ve got our own crews that install flooring,” Pittman said.
With numerous patterned carpeting available, they can create custom area rugs or special order them.
Up to 18 months of financing is available with deferred interest for people who qualify, Pittman said. In addition to the manufacturer’s warranty, the store offers an 18-month warranty on labor.
Johnson and Pittman offer one-on-one customer service and follow up on their customers’ satisfaction after the installation is complete.
“I think it’s just our service,” Pittman said is what makes the business stand out, “our personal relationship that we build.”
Elite Flooring, 4421 George Abbott Road in La Grange, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and after hours and on Saturdays by appointment. For information, call 252-566-4445.
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The old car wash, closed for nearly three years next to the Snow Hill Food Lion, has been refurbished and reopened under new ownership.
Mark Richie, owner of Sunbelt Business Brokers in Raleigh, purchased the property and made significant repairs before opening it in May. A grand opening was held in July.
“I saw it was for sale and I thought it was a good opportunity,” he said.
Called Black Dog Car Wash, the business is named after Richie’s black Labradors, Emma, who has been part of Richie’s family for 13 years, and the younger Zach.
The full-service center features four self-serve bays and an automatic drive-through wash.
“To my knowledge,” Richie said, “it’s the only automatic car wash in the county.”
It’s recommended drivers put the antenna down when going through the automatic wash and, of course, close the windows.
Extras include vacuums, vending machines with cleaning accessories and several cleaning options — pre-soak, tire cleaner, foam brush, high pressure soap and spot-free rinse.
“At Black Dog,” Richie said, “we have reasonably-priced accessories, including Armour All, car fresheners, glass cleaner and towels.”
There is also a change machine available.
The car wash is checked regularly, and an emergency number is posted near the change machine, the automatic car wash and the back door to the office.
“It’s well-lit,” Richie said. “We would like anyone to feel comfortable going there 24 hours a day.”
Black Dog Car Wash, 98 Greenwood Square in Snow Hill, is open round-the-clock for self-serve and automated car washing.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
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Do you have a new retail business or one that’s undergone a significant change? The Free Press would like to hear about it. Contact Margaret Fisher at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com.