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View Winners → Business Profile: The Shade Store
Arcadia Weekly Sep 02, 2015
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– Photo by Amelia Favela
By Amelia Favela
The process of getting affordable custom window treatments is made simple at The Shade Store. The store makes every visitor’s experience a delightful breeze as design experts are always ready to greet customers and walk them through the selection process, step-by-step. From solar shades to wood blinds, everything for a custom window treatment can be found at any of the company’s 30 locations nationwide, with its most recent showroom opening in Pasadena this August.
The company’s roots can be traced back to a small fabric shop in Mt. Vernon, NY in 1946. Using their established reputation as leaders in textiles and window treatments, the original founder’s grandsons, Adam Gibbs, Ian Gibbs, Zach Gibbs, and Greg Spatz, transformed The Shade Store into its current form in 2005. The four believe in the concept of not only offering the highest quality of custom window treatments at affordable prices, but also simplifying the process. “The company focuses on making the experience of buying custom window treatments easy for consumers,” said Lisa McClelland, Vice President of Showrooms.
– Photo by Amelia Favela
The Shade Store offers 11 styles of custom treatments, including solar shades, roller shades, wood blinds, woven wood shades, cellular shades, extra-large pleated shades, vertical systems, cornices, valances, drapery (eight different styles) and roman shades (six different styles). Along with a full range of drapery hardware, consumers can find more than 900 fabrics and materials, making the number of customization options incomparable.
“Every window treatment is handcrafted in the USA by a skilled artisan, hung and tested for quality assurance,” said McClelland. “The Shade Store offers a complete range of design services for consumers and design-trade clientele, including free swatches, photo rendering and a national network of professional measure and installation experts.”
– Photo by Amelia Favela
With a foundation built on customer service, the family-run company holds fast to the earnest belief of treating visitors with respect, appreciation and a smile. Regardless of the business’ continued growth, the store preserves the same “mom and pop” principles instituted by the original founder.
One of the challenges the business faces comes with the fact that window treatments are usually at the bottom of a home designer’s list. Designers also tend to think that custom window shades are difficult and expensive. In efforts to properly inform consumers, The Shade Store hosts many events at its showrooms across the country, as well as participates in numerous trade shows, to educate buyers on the affordable simple process of window treatments.
– Photo by Amelia Favela
The Shade Store also stays conscience of the environment as it is committed to the Arbor Day Foundation. Providing the “gift of shade,” the family business plants a tree for every purchase made.
Guided by the simple philosophy of “providing nothing short of exceptional service, quality and value,” The Shade Store looks forward to continuing to expand its showroom presence throughout the US, projecting an additional ten locations by the end of 2015.
Visit The Shade Store in Pasadena at 133 West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105. Also browse through its user-friendly website: www.TheShadeStore.com.
– Photo by Amelia Favela
