Professional, quality work by union installers is cornerstone of Clark Floor’s success

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

Clark Floor Co. has built a solid reputation in the residential flooring industry by providing expert, reliable work at fair prices on a consistent basis using its own well-trained, bonded and insured union, members of Floor Layers Local 1310.

The company, which was founded in 1981, offers a full range of flooring products including carpet, sheet vinyl, ceramic and marble tile, laminate and hardwood. It also specializes in hardwood refinishing.

Clark Floor never subcontracts its work and is a member of the Flooring Industry Council.

“We’re a mom-and-pop shop, and there’s not many of us left,” said Office Manager Jackie Clark. “We’ve been fortunate to have braved the economy, and it’s the quality of our work that has contributed to our success.”

Clark said while the company does have a few commercial accounts, the majority of its business is “residential-occupied,” meaning the customers are currently living in their homes. Clark also offers assistance with furniture moving and free estimates.

“We get a lot of repeat and word-of-mouth business,” Clark said.

HOW THEY BEGAN

After many years as a union floor installer, Gilbert “Bud” Clark opened his first flooring shop in south St. Louis city in 1979. Five years later, Clark’s two sons – Gary and Mike – decided to open their own shop and talked their father into joining them. Clark’s younger son Jim joined the company soon after he graduated from high school.

Today, Jim owns the shop, and Mike, who’s retired, still does measuring for the company, said Jackie Clark, Jim’s wife.

Bud passed away in 2009, and Gary decided to take a different career path.

FLOORING TRENDS

Hardwood has been one of the most popular and long-lasting options for flooring in the last few years, Clark said. But carpet appears to be making a comeback.

“We’ve sold more carpet in the last three months than we did all of last year, and that’s very unusual,” Clark said. “Because of the economy, people are remodeling instead of selling and wanting to spend less.”

MAINSTAY IN SOUTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY

Clark Floor is located at 7525 S. Lindbergh Blvd. near South County Center in south St. Louis county and has been at that location for 24 years.

The showroom is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They’re closed on Sunday.

For more information visit clarkfloor.com or call 314-487-0151.