Len Mallory, owner of Abbey Carpet in Bremerton, says, “It’s word of mouth, you can live or die by that.”

Abbey Carpet of Bremerton offers a lot more than the name implies. In fact, when Len Mallory bought the business from a friend about three years ago, he immediately saw the opportunity to expand it. Using the same space, he upgraded the product line and added tile and hardwood to the carpet and vinyl coverings already offered.

Mallory, who lived in Auburn until about six months ago, used to drive by Abbey Carpet often as he traveled to the Hood Canal, where his grandparents lived and his parents owned property. When the previous owner asked whether he’d be interested in buying the business, he thought, why not.

“I wanted to do something for the future of my family,” he said, adding that he has two children, ages 3 and 6. “It was time to do something for them.”

The business was a good fit: Mallory had worked in the building materials industry as a salesman, and had traveled to dozens of showrooms. “I’ve seen the best and the worst of floor stores,” he said.

About six months ago, Mallory, his wife, Kim, and the kids moved to their newly built home at Long Lake in South Kitsap. Kim left her job of 13 years as a King County sheriff’s detective about the same time and joined the company, taking care of bookkeeping and builder accounts.

“I think there is a great future over here and it’s a good place to raise a family,” Mallory said.

Abbey Carpet’s selection includes countertops, window treatments, installment and repair, so customers can take care of a variety of needs. Even so, staying competitive is a continuing effort, Mallory said. “There are lots of choices to buy floor coverings. At the end of the day, it’s about the product knowledge and customer service,” he said. “I want to continuously raise the bar in customer service.”

The company also caters to commercial customers around Puget Sound; one of the current projects is the new transportation facility in downtown Bremerton. Mallory has an extensive network in King County from his previous work, and is building one locally as well.

The residential projects are primarily around Kitsap, and the best way to get new customers is by doing a good job, he said. “It’s word of mouth, you can live or die by that,” Mallory said.

Mallory continues to look for ways to enhance the business. By mid-fall, the tile showroom will be remodeled to showcase various flooring options.

“We want to be the can-do store for Kitsap County,” he said.