In 1954, Ministers Bob and Myrna Summers started a flooring company as a way to feed their family and provide work for their parishioners. Over the next six decades, Summers Flooring (now Summers Flooring & Design) has grown from a subfloor installer to a full custom and pre-finished wood flooring center, complete with interior design and furniture consignment.
While they have seen many changes over the 60 years, one thing hasn’t changed, their family’s commitment to the customers.
“A lot of customers have become friends,” says co-owner Kim Summers. “And, we have awesome products, so it’s easy to sell them.”
Summers Flooring & Design, with its northeast Division showroom, has been co-owned by Kim and her husband Matt Summers for the last 25 years. But, it’s Kim and their son Michael who each work 50 hours a week to run the company. While Kim married into the family business thirty-four years ago, Michael has grown up with it, becoming the third generation to work there. Michael, who is married with three daughters, started in high school and became a full-time employee after graduating from Northwest Nazarene University in 2004.
Summers Flooring started in Moses Lake, Washington, then moved to Colton, Oregon, before settling in Bend in 1989. Their current location includes a 4,000 square foot showroom to showcase the flooring options as well as various high-end furniture pieces. Of their 10 employees, Michael is in charge of estimating and sales, while Kim acts as greeter, receptionist and anything else that needs to be done.
“One thing that made us successful is our amazing crew,” says Kim. “Guys have been with us for many years. They have stuck with us through the tough, as well as the good, years.”
“We are a 60 year old, family-run business,” adds Michael. “For us, the relationship is everything. We are involved in the community and like to develop lifelong friendships.”
As the decades roll by, Summers Flooring & Design has watched as number, size, and scope of projects have changed. In the 1980s, customers were only looking to add a wood floor entry to their homes, averaging 350 square feet. Now, many homes include over 1000 square feet of wood flooring. Their biggest job to date was 22,000 square feet of basketball courts for the Young Life camp in Antelope, Oregon. These days, they work in many private homes throughout Central Oregon. An average year includes approximately 200 projects.
When Summers flooring & Design started, there was only custom wood floors, needing to be sanded and stained, with a minimal selection of styles. Now there are diverse options, including pre-finished options. And, the customers have changed as well.
“People are more informed because of the internet,” explains Michael. “Sometimes that becomes difficult when they find a product that doesn’t work in our climate. That’s when it’s helpful to be knowledgeable with the products.”
Roughly five years ago, Summers Flooring & Design recognized the need of their customers and designers to sell their used furniture. So, they decided to offer furniture consignment at their showroom. By being selective with which pieces they accept, Summers Flooring & Design is able to maintain their reputation for quality.
However, wood flooring is still their main business. And, they bring 60 years of experience to each job.
“We’ve been in the industry so long, we have seen all aspects of flooring from subfloor to beautiful wood,” says Kim. “We understand all aspects of decision making that needs to be made.”
“Our biggest thing is that we are a 60 year old company that has been here through the ups and downs,” says Michael. “Most importantly, we still stand behind our product.”
541-389-9246, www.summerswoodfloors.com
