4 minute read
RING’S END Your Inspiration Their Expertise
WRITTEN BY: KAREN SINGER
Spending more time at home during the Covid-19 pandemic has inspired area residents to spruce up and reimagine their surroundings.
“Do-it-yourself projects are definitely on the rise,” says Bill Bolstridge, Store Manager at Ring’s End in Orange.
The store opened on June 22nd at 131 Boston Post Road, with all employees, including Bolstridge, from the West Haven store.
“We were in West Haven for seven years, but the location wasn’t really working for us,” explains Scott Herling, Ring’s End’s Marketing Director and Manager of Paint Sales. “We always wanted to be on Route 1.”
The 5,000 square foot Orange location was formerly occupied by Bedding Barn. Both the property and building were renovated, adding more parking spaces and the building façade was updated, so it no longer resembles a barn. The new space is clean and bright, a perfect environment for choosing paint colors and coordinating décor such as window treatments, area rugs, fabrics, and wallpaper. Although primarily a paint and design center, Ring’s End in Orange is a hybrid concept with a diverse inventory. Along with aisles of paint, brushes, and sundries, you can find lawn and garden items and hardware supplies, including plumbing and electrical. “We have locks and lock sets, basic hand tools and a few power tools,” says Bolstridge. Products not on the shelves in Orange can be purchased online and picked up in the store, according to Herling.
THE COMPANY’S EVOLVEMENT
Founded in 1902 in Darien as a coal and feed delivery service, Ring’s End evolved into a building supply company that is now the largest Benjamin Moore paint dealer in the state. Ring’s End serves Connecticut, South County, Rhode Island, and Westchester County, New York with 9 full-service locations and 10 freestanding paint centers, most with design services. Full-service Ring’s End locations sell lumber, roofing, siding, decking, fencing, windows, doors, architectural hardware, and other building materials. Most have kitchen and bath showrooms as well. Herling believes commitment to exemplary customer service and requiring employees to complete continuing education courses set Ring’s End apart from competitors. “All salespeople do extra product training in winter,” he says. Not only are they experts on our products and services, they are true examples of our company culture.
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
As a family owned and operated business, Ring’s End proudly supports the communities where they do business. “We believe in the importance of being active and responsible members of our communities and building
Photo: Courtesy of Rings End
Store Manager, Bill Bolstridge.
Photo: Paula Severino
relationships with our customers. We understand our customers have a choice of where to shop and we appreciate that they choose to shop local” Herling adds.
THE DEFINING MOMENT
Plans to open the Orange location in early 2020 were stalled by the spread of COVID-19 into Connecticut, prompting state officials to issue stay-at-home orders in March and subsequent retail reopening rules. “Initially no customers were allowed in stores, and we had curbside pickup,” Bolstridge says. “It’s not the way we typically do things, which is with face-to-face communication.” Masks are required to enter the store, and social distancing signs are posted.
Ring’s End in Orange opened with a customer base consisting mainly of commercial contractors and related industry professionals who shopped at the West Haven store until its relocation.
Since then, the store has attracted an increasingly diverse clientele. Bolstridge says some new customers are responding to advertising and marketing efforts, while others have discovered the place while driving on Route 1. “We’re seeing a lot more retail and design professionals at all our stores,” Herling says, “And more do-it-yourselfers doing interior and exterior painting, lawn and garden projects and small projects around the house.” Bolstridge attributes the increase in activity, in part, to cabin fever. “People staying at home for lengthy periods with their kids and spouses want to do something meaningful,” he says.
HOME IMPROVEMENETS ON THE RISE
“They’re putting more money into workspaces and play spaces at home,” adds Herling. Indeed, during this extraordinary year people all around America and elsewhere have undertaken long-delayed or unanticipated projects, purchasing paint and other supplies to improve and reconfigure their residences with home offices, learning and recreational areas, backyard gardens and barnyards.
Not surprisingly, sales have soared at Ring’s End. “As an essential business we have remained open throughout the pandemic, employing practices to keep our customers and employees safe while continuing to meet the home improvement needs of our customers. Herling says, “We’re having a strong year.”
To contact Ring’s End, call 203-931-0072 or visit their website at www.ringsend.com.
