Youngstown Tile & Terrazzo to Expand Retail Showroom

CANFIELD, Ohio — Youngstown Tile & Terrazzo Co. is preparing to double the retail showroom space at its current building, company president Joshua Cohol said Wednesday.  

Started in 1947, Youngstown Tile & Terrazzo moved into retail sales in 2015, Cohol said. That segment, which is growing, now accounts for about 20% of its business, with the rest being commercial installation and supply.  

“Our retail business is actually growing,” he said. “We are looking to expand some of the selections and make it easier for our clients to see our selections.” 

Plans call for renovating some existing office space to accommodate the expanded retail showroom and moving commercial business over to the west side of the building, which is at 7320 Akron-Canfield Road. 

“Our current showroom size is about 700 square feet. We’re going to be at least doubling that,” Cohol said. He expects to bring on a full-time sales associate to join the current staff of seven in-house employees and another 20 who work in the field, he said. 

The business reopened to retail activity May 12 when the state of Ohio loosened restrictions on retail activity. “The public has been very receptive to it and we have people calling who are ready to renovate,” he said. 

A study conducted of large metropolitan areas by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University indicated that while the majority – 24 — of the 47 large metros this year will see remodeling contract relative to 2019, 15 are expected to see increases of up to 3% over last year.     

“Although the pandemic is lowering prospects for remodeling everywhere, relatively more affordable metros in the Midwest and Sunbelt should be among the brighter spots for home improvements this year with annual gains of about 2-3% in Cleveland and Cincinnati, as well as Charlotte, Atlanta, Tampa, and Phoenix,” said Sophia Wedeen, research assistant in the center’s remodeling futures program. 

According to Cohol, people “are staring at a backsplash they don’t like” and are ready to use their income tax refunds and stimulus checks to do their projects. 

Cohol is awaiting estimates for the renovation work but he is anticipating a $50,000 price tag for the project.

He plans to finish moving the commercial operation by the end of May and he expects to have the new retail showrooms complete by the end of June, he said. 

Pictured at top: Josh Cohol, president of Youngstown Tile & Terrazzo.

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