Prints and Paints keeps growing, adapting

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GALION — Four decades ago, Sandy and Gary Frankhouse Sr. opened the doors of a little paint and wallpaper store, Prints and Paints.

Galion was a midway between Monroe, Michigan, and Newark, where their parents owned stores.

“The people of Galion welcomed us with open arms. Everyone was so friendly. We knew we had chosen the right place to open a business and raise a family,” said Sandy.

Sandy and Gary’s business started out small, but grew over the years. The former laundromat the couple originally purchased needed an addition.

“In 1991, we added carpet,” Sandy said.

In 1995, the couple’s two sons, Steve and Gary Jr., came back to Galion to work in the family business.

“Gary is an accountant and even though he has a full-time position now as director of the Crawford County Ecnomic Development Partnership, he still helps out in the business,” Sandy said.

Their sons returned from college with ideas to grow the business.

“We purchased the building next door and basically put a roof over both buildings and joined them together,” said Steve. “We were going to construct a new building at the industrial park, but then the building next door came available.”

The building formerly housed Trendsetters Salon and Galion Ironworks, a fitness center.

The family made the decision to quit selling paint and wallpaper and the family made the decision to join forces with Flooring America, a cooperative that allows them to receive better prices on flooring.

“Since there is a group of us purchasing, we can get products at much better rates so we can pass the savings off to our customers,” Sandy said.

Sandy said the name of the business no longer reflected what the business offered and the name was changed to My Floors by Prints and Paints.

“We wanted to keep Prints and Paints in the name because of the customers we have had for all these years who still know us by that name,” Sandy said.

“We moved into the flooring business and added bathroom installation. In 2010, we added custom kitchen remodeling to the many products and services we offer,” Sandy said.

Steve said customized, one-on-one attention is given to each customer.

“Instead of subcontracting work out with installers, we opted to develop our own labor force so we have more control over the work that is completed for our customers,” Steve said. “Our staff is certified, insured, and properly trained.”

The business currently employs 26 people.

Along with all types of flooring including carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile, the store also offers a haven for do-it-yourselfers.

“We offer assistance to get people started with the projects they want to complete themselves,” Sandy said.

Sandy said the business has also been a sponsor of baseball and other sports teams in the area.

“Galion has treated us so well and we like to give back in any way we can,” Sandy said.

My Floors Prints and Paints is located at 888 Bucyrus Road, Galion. For more information, call the store at 419-777-5334 or visit http://www.myfloorsohiofa.com.

Steve Frankhouse and his mom, Sandy, reminisce about how their business, My Floors by Prints and Paints, has grown and changed over the past 40 years. (Kimberly Gasuras | Galion Inquirer)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/10/web1_Prints-and-Paints.jpgSteve Frankhouse and his mom, Sandy, reminisce about how their business, My Floors by Prints and Paints, has grown and changed over the past 40 years. (Kimberly Gasuras | Galion Inquirer)

By Kimberly Gasuras

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Reach Gasuras on Twitter: @kimberlygasuras

 

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