SERGENIAN’S COVERS BASICS IN BUSINESS
Marv Balousek
[email protected]
Wisconsin State Journal, WI
Sept 17 2005
Photo: Tom Sergenian, president of Sergenian’s Floor Coverings and
grandson of the company founder, stands in the store’s showroom.
(STEVE APPS – State Journal)
When it comes to carpets and flooring, the Sergenian family has
covered homes and businesses in Madison for 75 years.
Sergenian’s has covered the floors at the Overture Center, the Dane
County Regional Airport and University Hospital and installed the
replacement carpeting at Monona Terrace. Sergenian’s Floor Coverings
now is working on the flooring at Epic System’s new Verona offices.
Ara Sergenian, born in New York City to Armenian parents, opened
a rug store on Monroe Street in 1930. His son, Paul, and grandson,
Tom, remain involved in the business, which these days sells a lot
more than just rugs.
The business has survived two fires, several moves and changes in the
flooring business over the years that included the beginning of wall-
to-wall carpeting in the late 1940s as well as later advances in vinyl,
stone tile and hardwood flooring.
The carpeting and flooring business is very competitive in Madison,
said Roy Spencer, an account specialist who’s worked 15 years at
Coyle Carpet, 250 W. Beltline.
“They’re good competition,” Spencer said of Sergenian’s. “It’s a very
competitive business, but we have mutual respect for each other.”
James Garner, Sergenian’s chief executive, was the first non-family
employee hired in 1965. One of his first tasks, he said, was to buy
ice cream cones for members of the Sergenian family from a store
across the street.
;ntpid=1