Biz Beat: Modesto flooring business joins shift to Bangs

Not so long ago — at least, it seems that way to me — Bangs Avenue was "out in the country."

These days, it's becoming a booming place to do business. Several weeks ago, I wrote about Greens Market moving its base to Bangs Avenue and becoming Greens Table.

The folks at Carpets Unlimited have become the latest to move out to Bangs, into a former motorsports business.

Husband and wife owners Dan and Mary Garrity, who bought the business in 2010, relocated in November. Prior to the move, Carpets Unlimited had occupied the same spot on McHenry Avenue for more than 25 years.

At first, the Garritys weren't sure of the wisdom of their decision.

"For about a month, I didn't sleep," Mary Garrity said. "People said, 'You're moving off McHenry? It's the kiss of death.' "

But their fears proved unfounded, and the couple's customers found them in their new, larger location.

"It's a lot bigger," Mary Garrity said. The 7,800-square-foot building includes 5,000 feet of showroom space. "It's been a good move. It's cleaner. It's a breath of fresh air."

Having Greens as a neighbor helps. "People have their lunch and then walk through," Garrity said.

Buying the store originally was a leap of faith for the Garritys, who face competition from several big-box home improvement stores in the area.

But they have managed to succeed. "We just thrive on customer service," Mary Garrity said.

Often, she said, customers are surprised to find that the flooring or countertops they want are cheaper through the local business than the large chains.

"We like to educate our buyers and try to figure out what's best for them," she said. "We like to make sure that what they're getting is a good fit."

Carpets Unlimited is at 501 Bangs Ave., Suite A. Call (209) 576-0800 or go to the website, www.carpetsunlimited.biz.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Party Guys has opened on Dale Road near Trader Joe's. Owners Ray Pogue and Loren Marple operate a similar store in Stockton; the duo also owns the retail side of Grand Events in Modesto.

Their contact info: Party Guys, 3250 Dale Road, Suite 1, Modesto. (209) 529-0000; www.thepartyguys.net.

Texas Roadhouse, the chain restaurant going into the site where Hungry Hunter stood on Sisk Road, is set to open next month. Check the website: www.texasroadhouse.com.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Patty Guerra at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2343 or pguerra@modbee.com.