About five years ago, Gordon Blyth and his wife, Caroline Paquet, purchased a well-known flooring store in Arthur, Ontario, since Brian Adams, the original owner, had decided to retire. This gave Gordon and Caroline a valuable opportunity to build on the business’s established foundation, and to further expand and showcase their own unique skills and products. Each having careers in the renovation and design business, the couple were eager to combine their experiences into a business of their own. Gordon is a professional in the home renovation field, while Caroline is a designer with over twenty years experience. They have applied their skills to the new venture and, five years later, the business – called ‘Cover-Ups’ – has thrived and expanded. It is a success story that continues to grow.
In fact, such was the popularity of the Arthur store, that folks living in Fergus frequently made the trip north. Due to the growing demand, a ‘satellite’ showroom store is now open in Fergus, which has brought this popular business to that town’s doorstep, and also within easy reach of larger centres like Guelph and the Tri-Cities. Anyone visiting ‘Cover-Ups’ (carpet, flooring, paint and more) for the first time – whether the Arthur or Fergus location – will quickly understand why this rural Ontario business has become so popular. As the name implies – ‘Cover-Ups’ do flooring – and so much more.
The product lines in all areas are of the highest quality. Caroline and Gordon are picky about the suppliers they deal with, and the quality of product each one supplies. Customer service and reputation must begin at the manufacturer in order to be passed on, with total confidence, to the end user. It’s also nice to know that, wherever possible, ‘Cover-Ups’ sell and promote Canadian-made products. They also install 90% of what they sell.
So, we’ll look at the flooring aspect of the business first. In recent years, flooring choices have increased drastically. The difficulty might lie in which to choose. Wood floors have been around for centuries, and still endure as one of the most popular choices for our homes. Wood is, of course, a natural product, and as a flooring choice it is hygienic, hard-wearing, easy to maintain and spectacularly beautiful. Plus, it can be a big selling feature in a house, so can also be classed as a good investment as part of your home improvement plans.
They carry a wide range of colours, widths, and types of wood – from traditional to exotic. You don’t have to stop at the floor, either. Special wood finishes are becoming increasingly popular for walls, offering customers the chance to create something very different and totally eye catching in any room in the house.
Carpet, as a flooring choice, continues to sell well, and ‘Cover-Ups’ offer a nice selection. Many folks like to dip their toes into soft carpet when they leave their beds in the morning – particularly in the colder winter months. And how carpet has evolved. These days, it’s an example of technology at work. Would you believe those recycled plastic drinking bottles are being made into fine silk-like fibres and woven into carpet that looks and feels utterly luxurious? Really, you have to visit the store and feel it for yourself. It’s incredible and is, literally, stain proof, since the stains cannot penetrate the fibres.
When asked what flooring item is ‘hot’ right now, Caroline’s answer was somewhat surprising.
“Vinyl,” she said. “These days, people are starting to use it throughout the entire house.”
When you see the examples at ‘Cover-Ups’, you can understand why. This floor covering, available in so many styles and colours, doesn’t look at all like the ‘vinyl’ you might be imagining. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s water resistant, easy care, and a perfect choice for a busy household with a growing family.
Tile, of course, is another very popular option, and that brings us to one of the most in-demand services at ‘Cover-Ups’ – bathroom renovations. If you’re looking to renovate and/or design an old/new bathroom from the floor up, talk to the folks at ‘Cover-Ups’. This is a particular area of expertise for them. No job too big or complex, no job too small or straightforward. They pride themselves on their quality of work and their amazing selection of tiles, and with good reason. You really must check out the tile examples in store. If you don’t have any ideas, you’ll find them here.
In nature, there are such things as symbiotic relationships, where two different creatures or plants benefit mutually from each other. In business, similar situations might arise, as is the case with ‘Cover-Ups’ and a very popular store in Arthur called ‘The Plumber’s Wife’. The store is, literally, a plumbing boutique that sells everything for the bathroom. Caroline and Gordon, through ‘Cover-Ups’, have formed a beneficial relationship with ‘The Plumber’s Wife’, and use them in many of their bathroom designs and renos. Judging by the positive customer feedback and increasing demand, it would seem to be a successful affiliation.
One other thing worth mentioning – the store carries Para paints, which is another quality Canadian product. These paints are also used as part of their renovation/design work for their customers.
It seems obvious, then, that customers of ‘Cover-Ups’ can shop with complete confidence. Caroline and Gordon take great pride in their business, and value their high level of customer service. They stand behind their work, guarantee their products and workmanship, and take care of their customers every step of the way. Their service area covers much of the Wellington area, including Guelph, the Tri-Cities and areas farther north.
For a little more information, feel free to take a look at their website. Better yet, drop into either the Fergus or Arthur store and browse the product You’ll be inspired.
ARTHUR LOCATION
480 SMITH ST.
Arthur, Ontario
N0G 1A0
coverupsarthur@coverupsflooring.ca
519-848-2883
Arthur Store Hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
FERGUS LOCATION
170 ST. ANDREW ST. E.*
Fergus, Ontario
N1M 1P8
* Moving soon to: 199 St. Andrew St. W.
coverupsfergus@coverupsflooring.ca
226-383-2883
Fergus Store Hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
