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When Brock Baker and his wife Nancy moved to Poulsbo in 1993, they never expected to be business owners before they were 24. The two recent graduates of Northwest College moved to the area to be close to family. Their first jobs were with a floor covering store in Bremerton. When the store owners announced, a year and a half later, that they were closing up shop, the young couple was faced with a decision.
“We always thought we would own a business,” said Brock Baker, who co-owns Brock’s Interiors in Poulsbo with his wife. “We just didn’t expect it to be so soon in our lives.”
The two decided to take the plunge, renting 300 square feet of space on Lindvig Way in Poulsbo. They got a few samples and started cultivating business with property managers and builders.
“We really clicked with new construction,” Baker said.
They were able to expand their space to 3,200 square feet and for nearly a dozen years have enjoyed a brisk business, so much so that the Lindvig space was no longer sufficient.
And so Brock’s Interiors is getting a new home: a brand new retail center located across the street from Central Market.
The Bakers have talked about owning their own building for the last eight years or so, said Baker, and their business had finally grown to the point where it made financial sense to invest in a building. Building something new was the best option for them, Baker said, due to the lack of commercial space available in Poulsbo.
“We’ve had our eye on this lot for quite a while,” he said.
The new retail center, named Brock’s Commons, was designed by Larsen Architects and built by Quality Service of Kitsap. There is 15,000 total square feet available. Brock’s Interiors will occupy 9,500 square feet of its space, and the remainder will be leased out. Tenants currently include a doctor’s office, Budget Blinds and Poulsbo Audio/Video Integration, a reseller of home theater systems. A single 1,000 square foot space remains available.
“The volume of business was the main reason for the move,” said Baker, noting that in addition to the tight space, Brock’s Interiors’ old home lacked street presence.
“I think we’ve succeeded in spite of our location,” said Baker, “we’ve existed because builders came to us.”
With the new building, the Bakers are trying something that isn’t normally done in their industry. Rather than setting the space up warehouse-style, they’ve designed a store where nearly every inch serves as a showroom, displaying a wide range of floor coverings and tile designs as they might be used in an actual home. Every area of the store, from the floors to the walls — even the restrooms and the kitchen area — show off Brock’s Interiors’ custom tile work on walls and countertops, floor covering options ranging from warm wood to regal marble and artistic wall treatments, such as the glass tile wall that flanks the store’s conference room.
“A big goal in doing a showroom like this is to provide inspiration for people,” said Baker.
Brock’s Interiors currently employs around 25 people and both sells and installs flooring and tile. Baker estimates that around 75 percent of the company’s business currently comes from new construction, but he anticipates that the new showroom and improved location will begin to attract interior designers and home owners, as well. The store’s conference room is available for designers to use to consult with their clients, and there’s even a kids’ playroom where homeowners’ children can play safely while their parents shop and plan.
“We’re hoping it will be a destination,” said Baker. “Our goal is to have a store that has more of a home feel.”
The grand opening/open house will be held June 22, from 3 to 8 p.m. |
