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| Weber Paint and Glass, which has been on the Marion Square since 1947, is much more than your typical paint and glass business. Don’t let the modest size of its storefront at 660 10th St. fool you. Larry Nesset, owner and manager, enthusiastically lists many of the products and services they offer: Benjamin Moore paints with custom computerized color and stain matching; glass replacement; new windows; wood and metal sash repair; mirrors; specialty glass (tabletops, desktops, and curved glass); custom-made leaded and stained glass; wallpaper; screens and re-screening services; window blinds and shades; doors; picture and art framing; interior decorating consultation; and residential/commercial remodeling services. Pickup and delivery of larger items is also available. Larry bought the business six years ago after being a customer of Weber Paint and Glass for 35 years. Including himself, there are 11 full- and part-time employees. Larry believes that the employee continuity that exists in his store is an important reason for its success. Larry’s interest in this particular business developed as a result of his owning properties in Marion and other cities and knowing the Weber family over the years. He says it sort of began as a hobby that just kept growing. Back then, he saw Weber Paint and Glass as a good blend of retail and service. He says he believed with the addition of more products and services, there was good growth potential. One of his employees, Monica, is a graduate of Harrington College of Design in Chicago. She works with residential and commercial customers on interior design, color selection, space utilization, and other design needs. A specific client service for businesses is remodeling with an eye toward what the customer experiences when entering that business office/showroom, she explains. This calls for efficient traffic areas, proper lighting and lighting fixtures, and furniture design and placement. These all add to a customer’s comfort and satisfaction, she adds. Benjamin Moore initiated the “sample” paint program, Larry says, in which a customer can take small samples of paints with them to try in their home or business. This way they can see if they really like the color or shade selection they chose and how it works in their home or office. Over 3300 colors are available. Each color comes in flat, matte, eggshell, pearl, and semi-gloss, as well as exterior paint colors. Two ounces covers approximately a 2’ x 2’ area with two coats. Customers can see how their selection looks in different types of lighting, and whether it makes the room feel energized or peaceful, Monica says. They can also tell how it will “flow” with adjoining room colors, as well as how it works with other colors in the room, including in furniture, rugs, and carpet. Weber Paint and Glass provides customers with custom two-ounce samples at $5 each. You might want to stop in and pick up a Benjamin Moore brochure titled “Color Selection Simplified.” The brochure explains preparation, application, and evaluation of samples. Another brochure of interest might be “2009 New Products,” which showcases Benjamin Moore’s innovative technology. The varieties in this brochure are “Green Promise” products with low or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Their Genex waterborne technology allows the company to tint paints without adding VOC’s. “Green Promise” is Benjamin Moore’s assurance that the paint is environmentally friendly and meets or exceeds industry standards. All of these paints are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified. Monica, our designer, has received the distinction as a LEED-accredited professional, remarked Larry. Larry says these are excellent paints for children’s rooms, nursing homes, or any place where people gather who have allergies and/or breathing problems. These paints can be applied without a “just painted” odor, and they are healthier for the lungs, he adds. Other informative brochures available are “Color Language,” which contains a color wheel and photos of monochromatic, complementary, analogous, and triad color schemes; and glazes with examples of color washing, sponging, strie´, and ragging. Strie´ involves dragging a dry brush downward through a wet glaze, creating a subtle stripe effect. Larry says he is particularly fond of a technique that creates a “faux marble” finish. “With it, you can make a plain fireplace mantel look like a million,” he says. The brochure titled “Metallics” includes five metallic and 30 pearlescent tints; “Textures and Effects” includes glitter, chalkboard finish, and glow-in-the-dark applications; and “Exterior Expressions” deals with exterior paint and trim. These are just a few of the helpful brochures in the store. Whatever your decorating interest or problem is, Larry says he or any of the staff members at Weber Paint and Glass can help you. As Larry says, “We don’t just sell paint, we sell solutions to your decorating needs.” Benjamin Moore paints have an excellent reputation, and “people come from all over to get them,” says Larry. Benjamin Moore is affiliated with Pottery Barn and Ethan Allen stores. If a customer wishes to see a room done in a certain color or shade, they can often see it in Ethan Allen display rooms. Benjamin Moore sells its paints through a dealer network of about 4000 independent paint and decorating stores, most of which are in North America, Larry states. Benjamin Moore became a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2000. Weber Paint and Glass offers full residential and commercial remodeling, including major jobs such as gutting a building. They will put together a design plan and negotiate all of the building and zoning issues. Their mission is to work with the client on a one-on-one basis, providing personal service in addition to quality products, Larry comments. Whenever there is something they don’t handle or do, they have well-known reliable sub-contractors to call on. To begin the process, an employee will sit down with customers and explain the scope and progression of the job in question, as well as the fee schedule. There is a nominal fee for this personalized consulting service. Larry is happy to say that Weber Paint and Glass receives a lot of repeat business because of its quality products and excellent service. He adds that the minute you walk in the door, a friendly and knowledgeable employee will greet you and inquire about your needs. Weber Paint and Glass is located at 660 10th St. in Marion. Call 377.0342, e-mail larry@weberpaintandglass.com, or visit www.weberpaintandglass.com for more information. |
Weber Paint & Glass Company |
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