Abbey Carpet opens franchise location in Gig Harbor

http://www.gateline.com/107/story/2624.html

Owner buys former Dryer’s Interiors on Kimball Drive
Lee Giles III
of the Gateway
Published: 12:38PM October 22nd, 2008


Homeowners looking to improve their home decor may have noticed a change of ownership — from Dreyer’s Interiors to Abbey Carpet — on Kimball Drive in Gig Harbor.
Len Mallory and his wife, Kim, recently bought the nearly 40-year-old business from founder Gary Dreyer’s son, Brian Dreyer.
Len Mallory is no stranger to the carpet business. The Port Orchard resident has been helping customers for the past 20 years, first as a wholesale representative, then as the owner of the Bremerton Abbey Carpet store. That business was purchased seven years ago.
Mallory enjoys being part of the Abbey Carpet family, which has 950 franchise stores across the country.
“We benefit from being in the group,” he said. “We have a great warranty program.”
Mallory said he had sold products to the Dreyer family for years. When the family offered the business for sale, he saw a great opportunity.
“We’re in the fashion business,” Mallory said. “We want the customer to have the proper products. We ask how they live in their house, and we help them make the right choice.”
Mallory added that Abbey Carpet has a wide selection of laminate flooring, carpet, hardwood flooring, tile and stone products. With a 60-day guarantee, he believes his customers will feel comfortable with the choices they make.
Mallory said his stores are careful when it comes to selecting sub-contractors who install their products. Having used quality craftsmen for years, he said he has a solid roster of people who install homeowners’ purchases.
Mallory employs five at the Gig Harbor store, which is located at 6880 Kimball Drive. Kim Mallory does the bookkeeping for the business.
Mallory shares a 50-50 ownership of the two stores with his wife, who retired from the King County Sheriff’s Department after working as a detective.
The 4,000-square-foot Gig Harbor store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The business offers free estimates and a shop-at-home service with a van that can bring the store to a customer’s door.
Abbey Carpet is celebrating its 50-year anniversary with a $50 installation charge on all residential carpet, no matter the size of the order.
Mallory said the store is changing its interior and name while still providing a high level of customer service.
“I see this as a marvelous opportunity,” he said.
Lee Giles III is the photographer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-853-9242 or by e-mail at lee.giles@gateline.com.