Successful Showrooms Defy the Economy

Each display features a unique theme, covering all of the bases from traditional to contemporary. The traditional kitchen with off-white cabinetry and beaded inset doors draws the most attention. “It makes a ‘wow’ statement as you walk in the front door,” she says. “We sell the most [product] off that display.”

Visitors also seem to be interested in storage options that help them become more organized. “People are really interested in finding out how to better use their spaces,” she says.

But one of the biggest attention-grabbers has nothing to do with kitchens or baths.

“The red Model T Ford truck parked in the front window catches everyone’s interest,” Moyer relates. “It’s a great way to start our story, to let people know we’ve been around for 100 years.”

Comfortable and Inviting

Like Banner Plumbing Supply and Tague Lumber, Wallington Plumbing Supply has a long history of serving clients, opening the doors to its first store in 1980 and expanding to four locations in Wallington and Wayne, NJ, in the years since. And, like these two businesses, it operated without a showroom until about two years ago, when it opened its new space in Saddle Brook.

The showroom was built in large part to fill a need for area contractors.

“Before we built the showroom, they didn’t really have anywhere to send clients,” says Allen Marion, showroom manager. “But now a lot of them bring in their customers, and it’s definitely been a benefit to our business.”

And it’s also a benefit to customers, he notes. Since plumbing can be one of the more expensive items in a space, the new showroom gives them an opportunity to see and touch products before they make a purchase. “It gives them depth perception they just can’t get on the Internet,” he says.

The 2,500-square-foot space, designed by Ellen Cheever, features an open, airy floor plan with tall ceilings and a lot of natural light that floods in from eight large windows at the front of the showroom. It also includes a wide variety of displays, including Kohler’s Next Generation vignettes, which feature an all-white theme with sink options conveniently displayed in pull-out drawers. Other neutral colors, including almond and bisque, dominate the space, which features plumbing supplies from nearly 20 different manufacturers in an array of finishes and price ranges.

With only minor tweaks needed thus far, Marion indicates that updates are made as manufacturers introduce new products.

“The space just flows,” he says. “It’s very comfortable and inviting, without being overwhelming.”