Hamernick’s Celebrates 75 Years with New Flooring Superstore in New Hope
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that there’s always room for another home improvement project. Hamernick’s Flooring Superstore opened in New Hope in late June. Since then, the level of business has surpassed even the company’s expectations.
Ed Hamernick started the company 75 years ago in St. Paul as a small carpet and paint store. He sold the business to one of his employees, Ted Natus, in 2000. Natus has led the company ever since.
“Many of our employees have been here decades. Ted is celebrating 50 years here. His children work here. His wife works here,” said Amy Mauzy, Hamernick’s marketing director.
Today, the family-owned business with nearly 100 employees stays on top of all the latest flooring trends. Mauzy says Hamernick’s has more flooring options in stock than anywhere in the Twin Cities. The New Hope store, located right off Highway 169, specializes in luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl plank flooring, one of the hottest trends in floor design.
“We have a lot of products here and it can be kind of overwhelming, but we usually try to narrow those products down to what the customer sees best in their home,” said Pete Seabloom, store manager.
Example of luxury vinyl plank flooring
The Emergence of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Set up like a warehouse, Hamernick’s offers countless flooring and carpet selections. Autumn Kusske-Anderson helps customers sort through it all. But she says customers continue to seek out luxury vinyl plank flooring.
“It’s super popular because it is a completely waterproof product,” said Kusske-Anderson, who pointed CCX News to a fish tank with plank flooring submerged in water. “One thing that we focus on too when selling luxury vinyl planking is the wear layer. The wear layer is that thin filament which protects the product against scratches and dents.”
Luxury vinyl plank or LVP flooring looks like real wood and feels like it too. Kusske-Anderson says LVP is manufactured with the help of a 3D printer.
“You’re going to see the different grains and the different knots. And then if you feel this product, you’re actually going to feel the knots and the grains,” she said.
Not to be confused with LVP, luxury vinyl tile, also known as LVT, is made to look like stone tile.
“This will look great in bathrooms, entryways, if someone does want that tile look,” said Kusske-Anderson. “You have that look of grout, but you don’t have the messiness of grout.”
There’s also carpet options too. Kusske-Anderson mentioned that patterns have become a popular carpeting choice.
The home improvement industry has experienced its share of supply-chain issues due to demand. But Mauzy says the pandemic hasn’t held Hamernick’s back.
“There’s been a lot of talk in the market about waiting for supplies, waiting for things that are just not getting here, whether it be product, cars, other items in the households,” said Mauzy. “We have flooring right now.”
