Diversify, grow, employ the best craftsmen and always keep looking forward says Matt Summers of Summers Wood Floors. That’s the business model the Summers’ family has always adhered to.
In 1954, Bob Summers started Summers Wood Floors in the Portland area. In 1984 son Matt took over operations of their large wood floor business and in 1989 Matt and Kim Summers moved the business to Central Oregon. “We moved here for the same reasons that all of us were drawn to the High Desert,” explained Matt.
In 1989 there were only two wood floor businesses in the Bend phone book (both soon went out of business), leaving Summers as the only wood floor craftsmen in the area. In 1991 Matt built the first in a series of beautiful wood floor showrooms. This was simply not done in the wood flooring Industry he said, but Summers wanted the customer to see, walk and dance on their future flooring.
As Central Oregon began its boom, Summers grew to over 40 employees and built its own 12,000 square foot building on Bend’s north end.
Upon opening their new 5,000 square foot showroom, Summers added carpet, venetian plaster and blinds while joining forces with local tile, stone and granite contractor Chris Nelson of Nelson Tile and Stone to add diversity to their business which was then renamed Summers Flooring and Design.
“We have always wanted to stay ahead of the curve in our industry, when it comes to customer service and diversity,” explained Matt, “we built wood floor showrooms when nationwide that was unheard of.”
The Summers’ family is a very musical family with both Matt and son Michael touring nationwide, so they took the entertainment aspect of their nature and have hosted concerts, parties, churches, chamber events and numerous fundraisers in their “event center” wood floor showrooms.
Matt’s brother, Mike Summers, began teaching at National Wood Floor Association schools and clinics all across the U.S. and was technical director and sales rep for two major wood floor finish companies to again add growth and diversity to the Summers’ family.
When the downturn of 2008 hit Central Oregon, Summers unfortunately had to say goodbye to much of their employees (family) like so many other local businesses, but instead of “moving on” to another area like much of their competition, Summers responded by adding yet another aspect to their approach… consignment furniture.
Now in a new location in the heart of Bend at Revere and Division Streets Summers is once again remaking itself with its first love “fine wood floor and stairs craftsmanship” now in its third generation with son Michael running much of the business, and with its new love of high end consignment furniture and decor it is weathering the storm and looking forward to bright tomorrows in Central Oregon.
