The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors surprised Fairway Flooring as the January Member of the Month. Charlie Thompson started Fairway Flooring in 1978. The business moved to three different locations before settling at 1503 Lancaster Street in Bluffton 20 years ago.
Charlie’s sons joined Fairway Flooring; Kent in 1982 and Chris in 1983. “The driving force of our business was because of our mom, Peggy. She was so down to earth, and customers trusted her opinion. We have had many customers that would allow her to pick out the product without ever looking at the options. She was good at what she did,” explains Chris.
Chris and Kent appreciate his mom and dad instilling strong work ethics in the family. They owe a lot to their parents for showing them the importance of working hard and taking care of the customer.
Customers come back because of the trust and honesty and they find it exciting to start working with third generation families of clients’. “They know us and if something is wrong, we will make it right and they invite us into their homes when they are not there,” says Chris. “We will do the job, do it well, and move out of their way to enjoy the finished product.”
Charlie adds, “between all of us here at Fairway Flooring, we know a lot of people and that customer base has grown over the years.”
Going the extra mile for customers is important to Fairway Flooring and they do this because of their low overhead in the business. “Our mainstay is that everyone is our friend and we take a lot of pride creating friendships and making connections. Building relationships with customers, the sales people, and truck drivers has been the most fun about this business. We welcome everyone in as a part of our family,” explains Chris.
Chris feels it is important to shop and stay local with their needs as well. “We have a really good rapport with our local competitors in town and that is very unique. We may borrow and trade items to get the jobs done and that is a great asset in a small community.”
“This has been a good business for our family. I never would have dreamed I could send 5 kids to college and having the ability to do so is wonderful,” concludes Chris.
Pictured in photo left to right:
Erin Prible, Wells County Chamber of Commerce, Executive
Kim Goodman, Fairway Flooring
Starla, Fairway Flooring
Bekkee Thompson, Fairway Flooring
Cyndee Fiechter, BKM Real Estate, Chamber Ambassador
Heather Morgan, National Oil, Chamber Ambassador
Chris Thompson, Fairway Flooring
Sid Schwartz, First Merchants Bank, Chamber Ambassador
Brad Hartman, Fairway Flooring
Charlie Thompson, Fairway Flooring
Doug Brown, News-Banner, Chamber Ambassador
Doug Fear, Edward Jones, Chamber Ambassador
Addie Hiser, PNC Bank, Chamber Ambassador
Randy Brinneman, Ossian State Bank, Chamber Ambassador
Rita Haneline, Markle Health & Rehab, Chamber Ambassador
Kevin Pritchard, Ruoff Home Mortgage, Chamber Ambassador
Not pictured: Kent Thompson (he was on a job working)