Jim Warren invites you to step into a complete flooring experience.

After spending eight years as a manufacturer representative, Warren decided three months ago to open his own retail store, Flooring Outfitters.

“I have a long history and knowledge of flooring,” he said, adding he spent five years as a rep for Shaw flooring and three years as a rep for Mohawk flooring. “I handled all of upstate as their representative.”

That experience led Warren to consider a fresh look for his flooring business. When designing Flooring Outfitters, he wanted to steer away from the typical flooring store featuring rolls of carpets. Instead, to exhibit the various products offered, he incorporated different colors and products to provide an inviting atmosphere while also offering paint and wallpaper samples for customers to browse through and match with flooring samples.

“I wanted this to be different, unique, almost like an interior design business,” Warren said.

Having the product on the floor also allows people to sample before buying.

“People can see, feel and stand on the product. That’s really important to me,” he said.

Flooring isn’t the only thing available at Flooring Outfitters. Warren also offers Tac-Wall, which can be framed, hung on the wall and used like a corkboard, and magnetic Dry Erase board that binds like wallpaper.

“Our primary focus is flooring, but while you’re in here, you can find some neat ideas for your home or office,” he said.

Warren held a soft opening July 21 at his Kimbrook Plaza location, which he found was accessible and convenient to residents of Baldwinsville, Liverpool, Clay and Phoenix.

“This is a great area to be in,” Warren said.

Warren still has a strong connection with Mohawk whose distribution point is located along Interstate 690 near the P&C Warehouse. Customers benefit from this relationship because Warren can pick up ordered product with his 16-foot truck and deliver it, saving money on shipping fees.

In regards to installation, Warren uses subcontractors who he has been working with for the past 10 years.

“I know who I’m working with,” he said.

Currently working as a one-man-show, Warren hopes to grow and add sales people in the future.

Flooring Outfitters offers residential carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, area rugs, engineered hardwood and laminate flooring through his business.

“We do all residential flooring, which includes carpet, hardwoods, ceramic tile and area rugs,” Warren said.

The business also offers Tac-Wall, wall protection and wall coverings.

Flooring Outfitters is opened from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The business is closed Sundays.