Print
E-mail
Rate
Homestore to remodel downtown rather than head north
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
A heritage Keokuk business is remodeling its downtown facilities rather than building a new store north of town.
The Homestore, 320 Des Moines St., will modernize the circa 1890 store and outbuildings to retain the “feel and service of a hometown lumber yard,” said Steve Hirner, co-manager of Homestore with Kathy Krome.
A grand opening is set for April. Homestore will stay open throughout the remodeling process.
The Homestore's wooden buildings will be transformed with new metal roofs and siding in the ‘Do It Best' color theme of tan with orange trim and blue roofs.
A row of old buildings previously used for storage on Third and Des Moines have been demolished to create open space and more outside storage.
Twitchell Construction is doing the siding and the roofs are being put on by Mississippi Valley Siding Window and Roofing, both Keokuk businesses.
“We bid with all of the local contractors,” Krome said. “We're trying to shop locally. We try to compete with the larger stores, but we know the smaller businesses need to fight for what they get.”
The interior of Homestore and its offices will undergo complete renovation, including a revamped showroom.
Merchandise lines are being ramped up with more choices, with many items geared to nonprofessionals as well as professional builders.
“We already have a lot of different, broader selection of contractor hand tools,” Hirner said. “And we are carrying rubber membrane roofing, granite countertops, wood laminated flooring and have a computerized color match system - the first in town.”
The color match system allows homeowners and contractors to bring in a quarter-size sample of paint on a chip and be able to exactly duplicate the paint color.
“We're trying to broaden what we have,” Krome said. “We have been more contractor oriented and now we are trying to aim it to the do-it-yourselfer. We can be competitive with the big guys.”
If Homestore doesn't have something in stock, sales personnel will special order items for delivery in several days or no longer than a week.
“Where we really shine against the big boys is with our service,” Hirner said. “We give free deliveries, free roof top deliveries and our sales reps are always available.”
To expand the Homestore's decorating service, interior design specialist Mary Radel, will do in-home consulting from new cabinetry to complete bathrooms, dens, family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens.
The Homestore carries a wide selection of cabinetry that ranges from custom-crafted to stock cabinets, all in a variety of woods and finishes.
With the kitchen designing abilties of the Homestore staff, the computerized design service and Radel's eye for decor, Hirner and Krome believe the Homestore can provide Tri-State Area residents with unparalleled expertise and service.
In addition to cabinetry, Homestore also offers windows, doors, knobs and hardware sundries that dress up a room.
The business will continue carrying its full compliment of lumber and construction equipment.
The former Rite Price Lumber was purchased by Kansas Lumber Homestore in February 1994.
The Homestore, 320 Des Moines St., will modernize the circa 1890 store and outbuildings to retain the “feel and service of a hometown lumber yard,” said Steve Hirner, co-manager of Homestore with Kathy Krome.
A grand opening is set for April. Homestore will stay open throughout the remodeling process.
The Homestore's wooden buildings will be transformed with new metal roofs and siding in the ‘Do It Best' color theme of tan with orange trim and blue roofs.
A row of old buildings previously used for storage on Third and Des Moines have been demolished to create open space and more outside storage.
Twitchell Construction is doing the siding and the roofs are being put on by Mississippi Valley Siding Window and Roofing, both Keokuk businesses.
ADVERTISEMENT |
The interior of Homestore and its offices will undergo complete renovation, including a revamped showroom.
Merchandise lines are being ramped up with more choices, with many items geared to nonprofessionals as well as professional builders.
“We already have a lot of different, broader selection of contractor hand tools,” Hirner said. “And we are carrying rubber membrane roofing, granite countertops, wood laminated flooring and have a computerized color match system - the first in town.”
The color match system allows homeowners and contractors to bring in a quarter-size sample of paint on a chip and be able to exactly duplicate the paint color.
“We're trying to broaden what we have,” Krome said. “We have been more contractor oriented and now we are trying to aim it to the do-it-yourselfer. We can be competitive with the big guys.”
If Homestore doesn't have something in stock, sales personnel will special order items for delivery in several days or no longer than a week.
“Where we really shine against the big boys is with our service,” Hirner said. “We give free deliveries, free roof top deliveries and our sales reps are always available.”
To expand the Homestore's decorating service, interior design specialist Mary Radel, will do in-home consulting from new cabinetry to complete bathrooms, dens, family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens.
The Homestore carries a wide selection of cabinetry that ranges from custom-crafted to stock cabinets, all in a variety of woods and finishes.
With the kitchen designing abilties of the Homestore staff, the computerized design service and Radel's eye for decor, Hirner and Krome believe the Homestore can provide Tri-State Area residents with unparalleled expertise and service.
In addition to cabinetry, Homestore also offers windows, doors, knobs and hardware sundries that dress up a room.
The business will continue carrying its full compliment of lumber and construction equipment.
The former Rite Price Lumber was purchased by Kansas Lumber Homestore in February 1994.
 |
 |
|
| ‘Portraits of the Prairie' on sale in Keokuk and Illinois | Nancy Martin enjoys life in Keokuk |
