New owners put the floor beneath your feet

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

  Taber Floor Coverings has transitioned to new ownership, but the business remains locally owned by a couple who worked for it extensively. Jake and Eva Guenther took over on June 1 from Ernie and Renae Vornbrock when the couple moved into retirement. The previous owners employed Jake for 16 years and Eva for three before change occurred. The idea for the transition began to percolate a little less than a year before it actually happened.

  “He decided he was going to retire,” Eva said of former owner Ernie. “Someone else was interested and that didn’t work out. We were like, ‘What are we going to do?’ We’d dreamt about it before, but not talked to them about it much.” The couple felt fairly optimistic and secure in the decision given the fact that the Vornbrocks had established and operated it successfully for many years prior.

  The business serves residential clients more so than commercial ones, and it sells the full package: product and installation. 

“We have three crews going right now. If somebody comes in and just wants the material, we do that too, but we install what we sell,” Eva said. The business uses the services of two contractors and has a current staff roster of five, including Jake and Eva. It offers carpet, vinyl plank, sheet vinyl, hardwood, laminate and window coverings, plus tile that they contract out for installation.

  Eva said that so far, things have gone well. “Lots of learning the last few months, but Ernie is still around. He comes in two to three days a week. He’s a part-time employee here, so that’s been very helpful. If I have anything that I don’t know how to handle, he’ll help me figure it out.”

  It sounds like a pretty good way to get your feet under you as a new business owner. Having the previous owner as an employee who can offer some reliable guidance and direction is a distinct advantage for the couple as they make the business their own.