Flooring America 50 Years

Years

ANNIVERSARY EST. 1973

presented by

THE

essenger December 2023

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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50

DESIGN CENTER

th Anniversary Thanks for Trusting us with all your flooring needs 2

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

WHO WE ARE Flooring America is locally owned and operated by regional experts. By shopping at Flooring America, you’re supporting your community, and you’ll enjoy personalized service that you won’t find elsewhere.

Empowering Communities We’re proud to be part of a national cooperative that invests in our community, sustains family businesses, bolsters our local economy, and supports friends and neighbors.

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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FLOORING AMERICA AGENDA

DESIGN CENTER •

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

All In The Family

by Eric Pratt

50 years of service, loyalty and commitment keeps Flooring America Design Center on the cutting edge with its customers and the Fort Dodge community.

To know the full story of today’s Flooring America Design Center in Fort Dodge, you must first meet the people who represent the heart and soul of the company – 50 years after it all began.

That’s what the business has represented since day one: People.

Family. Relationships. A commitment to the customers and community that Flooring America still serves diligently after five full decades of hard work, loyalty, change and evolution.

No one embodies the narrative quite like owner Pat Leiting.

When his father, Larry, opened Carpet World of Fort Dodge in 1973, Pat was an elementary student. During his formative years, Pat watched his parents build a successful operation from the ground up by creating a culture of personal touch and trust – with employees and customers alike.

The example Larry and Beverly set had an indelible impact on the man Pat was to become: a boss, an entrepreneur, a co-worker, a friend, a husband and a father.

“It’s crazy looking back at all the twists and turns this company has gone through over its 50 years, but it underscores the importance of being flexible and adapting to changing times,” Pat said. “Through all of this, we have built great relationships with customers and employees. You build customer loyalty through years of trust and delivering a good product and service, but you don’t have loyal customers without having great employees and subcontractors who are dedicated to delivering the best product and service every day.”

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

A Familiar Road To Forge A New Path Pat’s initial career path took him to the Chicago Board of Options Exchange.

In January of 1988, Pat returned to Fort Dodge with a goal of becoming a stockbroker and financial advisor. The family business wasn’t necessarily on his long-term radar.

That all changed when Pat began helping the company implement a new software system to improve the efficiencies of customer tracking and record keeping.

“In my mind, it was a short-term decision – and then I would be back to executing my plan of becoming a stockbroker,” Pat said. “Little did I know at the time that choice set the course for the rest of my life.”

“The software implementation was not an easy task, nor was it well received by my dad or the staff, who had been running the company off of recipe cards and a ledger. I started making short-term decisions for one year, and then one year became five years, and before I knew it, the business was revolving around me.”

Growth has been at the center of the company platform from day one. Pat committed himself to the Carpet World lifestyle, working alongside Larry and Bev for the next 15 years. Furniture World, Paint World and Drapery World were all further extensions of the family’s local vision.

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Little did I know at the time that choice set the course for the rest of my life.

Pat Leiting

Carpet World joined the buying group of established national brand CarpetMax – now Flooring America – in 1995. Seven years later, a full-circle moment brought Carpet World together with a familiar name in the area flooring scene.

“An interesting turn of events happened when we asked Bob Hade to join our business,” Pat said. “Bob’s dad, Reynold Hade, was the reason why my parents moved to Fort Dodge in 1960. My dad was an installer and later a salesman for Rey – who owned Hade Carpet Store on Central Avenue – for 13 years (until Larry Leiting opened Carpet World).”

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

Changing of the Guard In 2003, the torch was officially passed. Pat purchased Carpet World Flooring America from his parents with fellow Fort Dodge resident Mark Jorgensen.

“At that point, my dad had personally been in the flooring business, as an installer, salesman, manager and owner, for more than 50 years. He was ready to retire,” Pat said. “My mom, on the other hand, still wanted to work, and enjoyed working until she finally retired at the age of 80. She was a supportive partner to my dad, and then to me, for 44 of our 50 years. She actually worked longer in the business than my dad – that’s quite an accomplishment!”

In 2010, Tim Doyle – the owner of Builder’s Showcase in Fort Dodge, which had been a locally-established company for nearly 60 years – became a partner with Leiting and Jorgensen. Doyle’s local family legacy mirrored that of the Leitings; his father started with Chuck’s Floor Service in 1954.

Doyle had moved back to town in 1992. Two years later, Tim and his brother, Mike, bought the old John Deere building downtown next to their dad’s business.

“For the first few years, I was the salesman, installer, bookkeeper, warehouse man, and owner all in one,” Tim said. “In 1994, we renamed Chuck’s Floor Service to Builder’s Showcase Studio and moved a few doors down. My brother, who just started Doyle Construction, wanted to have a place where he could send customers to pick out the ‘whole house.’ Whether it was a new home, an addition or a remodel, he wanted his customers to be able to put it all together in one spot. We had cabinets, countertops and all types of floor covering. We also had a designer that could help customers with floor plans, as well as help with the color schemes on the walls and ceilings.”

The merger of Carpet World Flooring America and Builder’s Showcase Studio was a natural fit.

“We wanted to be a complete home improvement showroom – what we are today with Flooring America Design Center,” Doyle said. “In 2010, (lead designer) Wendy Anderson and I joined Flooring America, and it was a dream to have the showroom we have put together today.”

The next year, the company purchased the Floor to Ceiling store from Bob and Barb Courtney. By November of 2012, Carpet World Flooring America had moved into its current home on Fifth Avenue South where the old Floor to Ceiling store was located – a property boasting a 12,800-square foot showroom and a new 5,000-square foot warehouse addition.

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Today’s Vision for Tomorrow The result has been over a decade of Flooring America Design Center serving as the region’s go-to business for a wide variety of interior expectations – from carpet and flooring to cabinets, countertops and window treatment.

“I think we have withstood the test of time because we have changed with the needs of our customers,” Doyle said. “Customers continue to want more, and we have grown to be able to help them pick out the ‘whole house’ and design spaces that are more functional than they were in the past.

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I think we have withstood the test of time because we have changed with the needs of our customers.

Tim Doyle

“I feel like we are problem solvers. We like to find products that find a solution a customer is looking for. Whether it is the right color or pattern or maybe a solid product that doesn’t dent or scratch resistant for a commercial setting. We like to be the solution for people. I think that is what sets us apart from our competition – we have the manpower and expertise to get the right products installed for our customers.”

Leiting and Doyle head the operation now. Jorgensen retired in 2018, and Courtney did the same in 2020.

“Tim and I have had a great partnership.

We both understand the dedication and commitment it takes to own and run a family business, since we were both second-generation owners of family businesses,” Pat said.

Through all of the changes and shifts in both the demands of the industry and the local community, Leiting and Doyle have centered their philosophies around impeccable customer service with a family-first attitude.

The Fort Dodge community, meanwhile, has offered the kind of personal and professional environment that paid dividends beyond their wildest dreams.

“Even though Fort Dodge was not part of my vision early on in my adult life, it has been a great place for my wife (Jen) and I to raise our daughters (Michaela and Alexandra),” Pat said. “Fort Dodge has not 10

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

only been home for us, but my extended family as well, as I have three sisters – Roxie Flattery, Brenda Leiting and Dee Huss, and their husbands – that also chose to live and raise their kids in Fort Dodge, as well as a sister Carla who lives with her husband and son in Omaha.

“Looking back, to be able to be a part of my nieces’ and nephews’ lives growing up and have my kids grow up with their cousins…I realize how lucky I am.”

Doyle is equally thankful for what both the business and community have provided.

“Fort Dodge has always been home for my wife and I,” Doyle said. “We both moved back here from college and started our families. I tell people all the time we would not have been able to raise our four kids without help from our families.

Today, two of my kids have moved back to start their lives here, and I think it’s because Fort Dodge is a great place to live and raise your kids.

I even have two grandchildren here now.

“

My dad had a lot of nicknames through the years, with ‘ThrowRug’ being one of the most prominent.

Pat Leiting

Pat Leiting is thankful that, 50 full years after his father’s vision first began to take shape, Flooring America Design Center continues to meet modern standards while sticking to its core tenets: always putting the people of his company and community first.

“My dad had a lot of nicknames through the years, with ‘ThrowRug’ being one of the most prominent,” Leiting said. “But he was also commonly referred to as ‘Lucky Larry.’

“‘Lucky Pat’ doesn’t quite have the same rhyme, but ‘Lucky Leiting’ sounds pretty good. When I think of our family business, I also think of my siblings and how Carpet World (Flooring America “I have a daughter (Theresa) who is a pharmacist; Design Center) has impacted all our lives in a son (Eddie) who is a financial planner; a raising our families. daughter (Jillian) who is an interior designer for My dad was a great promoter of his business and architect in Iowa City after working for us for and enjoyed driving his carpeted ‘RugBug’ in a short time in college; and a son (Charlie) who regional parades with his grandkids or promoting is an attorney in New York. My family has always them in school events…this business has always been important to me, and they have helped me really been an extension of our families, first and learn the business as well as grow the business. If foremost.” it wasn’t for my brother Mike and the partnership we developed (nearly 30 years ago), I would not be where I am today. Doyle Construction has always been one of our best customers.”

AGEN

A STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY TO SHOP Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Started the Business “Carpet World”

Dad retired

First Ribbon “carpet” Cutting

Joined CarpetMax/ Flooring America

2002

1988 1973

1995

2003

Pat returned to the business

TIMELINE 12

Bob Hade came to work for us Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

Moved to our existing location & Bob Courtney joined the team.

50th Anniversary

2010 2012

2023

Tim Doyle became partner and Tim & Wendy joined our team

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Pat & Bev Leiting Tim Doyle & Pat Leiting

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

Tim & Sue Doyle

DESIGN CENTER

Celebrates 50 years

Thanks for Trusting us with all your flooring needs Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Congratulations on 50 years!

Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary!!

2019 m

Integrity Diversity

Quality Dependability

www.jensenbuildersltd.com 1175 S. 32nd St.

2097 NE 60th Ave.

Fort Dodge, IA

Des Moines, IA

515-573-3292

515-576-5429

www.bakerelectricoffd.com Congratulations!

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• Pre-Engineered Chief Buildings

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Congrat’s On 50 Years!

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

Congrats to Our Friends & Neighbors on 50 years of success!

We Service ALL Makes and Models of Garage Doors and Operators – Customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We bring over 160 years of combined experience to every job. With the largest and most experienced crew in the area we can assure you we are ready to service your garage door needs faster and more professionally than any other company in the area. We service over a 100 mile radius of Fort Dodge, IA and over 13 Counties.

Congratulations

When I say “good” you say “Neighbor”

Dan Flattery, Agent 24 S 18th Street Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Bus: 515-955-7181 danflattery.com

Now thats teamwork!

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Congratulations

on theCongratulations past 50 years!

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No Appointment Necessary All Makes and Models Relax and Enjoy our Custumer Lounge

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Your building project isn’t about us, it is about you. Your needs, your expectations, your outcomes. We are experts in the construction industry, and we lend our experience to about your operation and your business so we can offer good advice and consult you to make the best decisions relating to your building project.

Congratulations Graduates!

(15 Years in a Row)

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2723 5th Ave. S. Fort Dodge • 515-576-7505 • 800-362-2174

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

515-576-7619 515-576-7619 GeneralContractor Contractor General Construction Manager Construction Manager

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

A Commitment to Excellence Bev Leiting, Pat Sells personify the Flooring America way Loyalty. Commitment. Passion. Involvement.

For 50 years, Flooring America Design Center has been a pillar in the Fort Dodge community.

Bev Leiting and Pat Sells have been there nearly every step of the way.

Bev and her husband, the late Larry Leiting, started Carpet World from scratch in 1973. Six years later, Pat joined the team as an installer.

Today, both have fond memories of the relationships they’ve built through the work they so passionately pursued for decades as the company grew and evolved.

“We were always so proud of what we were able to accomplish as a team,” said Bev, who was in and out of the office for 44 years until she retired at the age of 80 in 2017. “We were a very young couple, taking on the big responsibility of starting and owning the store, but we always put the customer and our employees first.

“We built it up together, and it was very rewarding. Our emphasis was being active locally and visible in the community, while making sure our people were taken care of.”

The Leitings offered a job to Sells as a 21-year-old eager to get his feet wet in the business. Now, over four decades later, Sells is still active and diligently tackling projects in the trenches for the Flooring America team.

“Larry gave me a chance 44 years ago. He was like a dad to me,” Sells said. “I’ve been treated right here from day one, and I’m incredibly thankful for everything. I’ve been a part of something special, and I take a great deal of pride in the work. I’ll keep doing it until I can’t.”

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

A little over two years ago, Sells suffered a heart attack and had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery. Bev pointed to that period of time as one of the many moments where business and family became intertwined.

“When Pat got sick and had to go through his heart surgery, so many people in and around (the company) were by his side,” Bev said. “Customers and employees both. Whenever there has been a need, we’ve always tried to help. We’ve been there for each other through so much, which is a testament, I think, to the consistency of being able to keep our employees.”

Through all of the changes and transitions, Sells is a familiar face. He represents stability and dedication.

“There’s nothing better than seeing that smile on a customer’s face, knowing you’ve completed a job and done it the right way,” Sells said. “I learned so much from Larry. When Pat (Leiting, Larry and Bev’s son) took over (as owner), we didn’t miss a beat. Then Tim (Doyle) came on board. They’re great guys to work for.”

Sells added, “it’s so important to buy local and support your town.”

“We’re the business you know and can trust,” Sells said. “Knowing we’ve had customers who will keep coming back and spreading the good word…that’s what it’s all about.”

Bev is proud of how far the company has come in 50 years filled with faith, family and friends.

“It’s remarkable. To think back on when we moved to Fort Dodge in 1960 and started (Carpet World) 13 years later, I would’ve never imagined we’d be having this conversation today.”

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Wendy was great to work with!

Personable and great eye for design.

The staff at Flooring America were awesome.

She really helped our vision come to life! They listened to our concerns and helped us select the perfect flooring for our needs.

—Keenan Schuur

Our name says you,you,youryourfafamimilyly —Shawn Grossnickle

Mike did great work on all of our tile installation.

We would definitely recommend Flooring America.

—Angela Sanders

Kelsie was very helpful when trying to decide on colors and kept the experience personal by listening to exactly what we wanted.

—Megan Foth

Flooring America does great work!

All the people there are very friendly and good at what they do.

Highly recommend.

—Max P

Cory was great with designing my kitchen layout. Highly recommend him and the Flooring America team!!

—Lisa Irving

Congratulations on

50 Years

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515-576-1138 • 2400 6th Ave North, Fort Dodge, IA

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary!

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Congratulations On Your 50th Anniversary!

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

Congratulations

ASSOCIATED REALTORS® www.coldwellbankerfortdodge.com

1728 Central Ave. #1 • Fort Dodge, IA 50501 • Office: 515-955-7000

Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023

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Thank you for your business through the years.

We are proud to be a part

of this community and look forward to the next 50 years!

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Flooring America Design Center 50th Anniversary • 2023