Complete Garage Can Help Organize Space

Store sells cabinetry, storage accessories, flooring

(Thursday, January 20, 2005) - The interest in creating attractive and organized storage spaces, even in the garage, is contributing to the success of the Complete Garage, a business in Johnston.

The store, which opened in August, sells cabinetry, storage accessories and flooring for garages.

Many of the storage units are attractive enough that people are also installing them in other rooms in the house. Accessories such as baskets, pegs and shelves are versatile enough to be functional in closets, laundry rooms and other areas.

"When someone comes in, we try to get a feel for what their needs are," said Jodi DeZurik, 55, owner of the Johnston business. "When we know peoples' needs, we can design something to fit them."

While one person may need something as simple as storage for garden rakes, someone else may need space for seasonal equipment or lots of sports equipment, car products and tools, she said.

"You never have enough storage space," said Al Nielsen of Johnston, who had stopped in the store to explore ways to organize his garage.

About 50 percent of the cabinets her company sells are custom designed, DeZurik said. Manufacturers include Whirlpool Corp., Andersen Cabinets and Logical Cabinetry Systems.

Cabinets come in laminated finishes in colors or wood tones. One line by Whirlpool comes with an industrial stainless steel tread finish. Besides cabinets, the line includes a small refrigerator or standing freezer that can be partially converted to refrigerator space. The appliance withstands the high and low temperatures typical in a garage.

DeZurik and her assistant, Troy Ford, measure and provide free estimates and drawings with specifications for people within about an hour's drive of their showroom.

After they see the plans and estimates, customers may decide to have all their work done at one time or to have it installed in increments. A few customers have chosen to install their own cabinets.

Also available are garage floor pads and heaters, audio and video equipment for wall installation, a garage vac, concrete stain remover and more. A platform with automatic lift to elevate at least 5 feet above the floor can be used to store out-of-season equipment or to make more storage by keeping items off the floor. Items are easily moved onto the platform and raised above floor level, so it is easy for anyone, including people with disabilities, to use.

"The Complete Garage is my new best friend," said customer Lu Ann Kuyper of Johnston.

In addition to having the platform and cabinets installed in her garage to contain the baskets and shipping materials for her Longaberger baskets business, she had light-colored wood-look cabinets designed for two walls of a basement room to hold wrapping paper and seasonal items.

"The product is very attractive and yet very functional - yet high quality," Kuyper said.

The storage units save her time by allowing her to find everything quickly.

"And when the garage door is open, it's attractive in there."

The Complete Garage is based in the Twin Cities and is a franchise business founded in 2000. By the end of 2004, it had nine franchise stores, including one in Auckland, New Zealand. The Johnston franchise is the only one in Iowa.

"We're building on strong brands and the flexibility of the products within each brand," said Doug Arndt of Minneapolis, corporate president and co-owner with his wife, Susan Arndt, and Thom Holm, who is responsible for the computer side of the business.

The Complete Garage grew out of another business Arndt founded in 1990 that specialized in industrial and commercial flooring. When he added residential garage flooring as a side business in 2000, it took off. The cabinets were added to complement the garage flooring.

"A lot of the customers come in and have us do their floors. They may come back six months later and have us install cabinets, or buy them to install themselves," Arndt said.

DeZurik, who sold cabinets independently out of her home two years before she bought the Complete Garage franchise, was impressed by the company's products.

"I wanted to be the Williams-Sonoma of garage supply places. This fits what I had in mind," she said.

View all The Complete Garage Press Releases

This article has been read 189 times.

Printed From:
http://www.thefranchisemall.com/news/articles/17011-0.htm