GALION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—When Gary Frankhouse talks about how My Floors Kitchen & Bath Remodeling started, the story goes back nearly 50 years (formerly Prints & Paints), and it begins with a little risk and a lot of belief in hard work.
The business opened in 1977 after Frankhouse’s father, Gary Sr., a Vietnam veteran, decided to strike out on his own and open a paint and wallpaper business Prints & Paints.
At the time, the family was living in Newark, where Gary’s grandfather opened a paint & wallpaper store. Gary Sr. had learned the paint & wallpaper business from his dad in Monroe, MI, but when he returned from Vietnam, instead of joining his dad, he pursued a trade of carpet and vinyl installation, which would pay dividends years in the future., However, he always talked about wanting a business of his own.
One day, Gary’s mother, Sandy, decided it was time.
“She sold the house and told my dad, ‘You’ve always wanted your own store. Let’s go find a place,’” Frankhouse said.
The search eventually brought the family to Galion.
They didn’t know anyone in town when they arrived, but Frankhouse said his father believed that if you focused on people and service, the business would grow.
“He always spent time talking with customers,” Frankhouse said. “We used to tease him because he’d walk them all the way out to their cars and keep talking. But looking back, that’s where our philosophy came from. It’s about listening and serving people.”
Nearly five decades later, that approach is still part of the business.
Today My Floors is owned by Gary and his brother, Steve Frankhouse, who purchased the business from their father in 2022. Over the years the company has expanded both its building and the services offered.
My Floors stopped selling paint & wallpaper in 2008, and focused on Flooring which is the heart of the business, with options including hardwood, carpet, tile, laminate and luxury vinyl plank.
But the business has grown far beyond flooring alone.
Bathrooms have become one of the company’s busiest areas in recent years after investing in waterproof training in the early 2000’s in Clemson, SC. Frankhouse said many homeowners are removing large soaking tubs and replacing them with custom showers designed to create a more relaxing space.
“We just installed a steam shower in the showroom,” he said. “People are starting to think about their homes differently. They want a place where they can relax and recharge.”
The company also expanded into kitchen remodeling more than a decade ago.
“We started doing bathrooms first, and that naturally led into kitchens,” Frankhouse said. “Both of those spaces always involve flooring, so it was a natural fit for us.”
While big-box home improvement stores dominate much of the industry, Frankhouse believes what sets My Floors apart is the people behind the work.
Unlike many retailers that rely on subcontractors, My Floor employs its own installation crews. Those crews work closely with the sales team and are trained to handle projects the way the company expects.
“You can buy flooring anywhere,” Frankhouse said. “But how it’s installed is what really makes the difference.” We are happy to sell DIY, and we are competitive through our national buying group Flooring America. However, we are excited to offer a final product and take ownership like our name implies “My Floors” even though the floor is our client’s investment.
That commitment to doing the job right has helped build long-term relationships with customers.
Frankhouse recalled one man who recently returned to the store years after a previous project.
“He told us we did a terrible job back in 2004” – pre-employee based installation days -Frankhouse said with a laugh. “But he also said we replaced everything and made it right. Because of that, he said he’ll never go anywhere else.”
Although the business is located in Galion, Frankhouse said many of their customers come from throughout the region including Lake Erie, Medina, Delaware, and many Columbus communities because the showroom is worth the drive.
He believes the success of one community benefits the others.
“When Mansfield does well, Galion does well. When Ashland does well, we all benefit,” he said. “A rising tide lifts all ships.”
The company also supports several local organizations, including youth sports, community theater groups and economic development efforts.
Frankhouse said local businesses play an important role in giving back.
“It takes a community to raise a kid,” he said. “But it also takes a community supporting local businesses so those businesses can turn around and support local organizations.”
As My Floors approaches its 50th year, Frankhouse said the focus remains on continuing to grow while staying true to the values the business was built on.
His father started the company with limited funds and a willingness to take a chance.
“That’s really how this whole thing began,” Frankhouse said. “Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.”
Nearly five decades later, that same mindset continues to shape the future of My Floors Kitchen & Bath Remodeling a family business.
