TEST OF TIME: “I have been involved with the company for 40 years, and it’s great fun! I still have the passion to help someone realize their dream of a new kitchen or bath or a new look with flooring,” says Joe Rossi, owner of Regent Flooring Kitchen and Bath in Pennington. “Our customers know that when they come here, we will be honest and up front, and offer our years of experience and knowledgeable service.” Shown is the company’s spacious showroom on Route 31 North.

By Jean Stratton

Personal attention, a knowledgeable staff, longtime experience, hands-on help and advice, and of course, quality products — these are the ingredients that make a successful business, and one that stands the test of time.

In the case of Regent Flooring Kitchen and Bath, it just gets better and better! The independent, family-owned business will celebrate its 58th anniversary this year.

Opened in 1963 by Felix Rossi and his partners, its initial focus was on flooring, including wood, tile, and carpet.

“My father and grandfather were born in Italy,” says current owner Joe Rossi, son of Felix. “In the early days, the store was a much smaller operation. It basically opened in one room, and now we have expanded into a spacious showroom, including a brand new addition to our kitchen and bath section. We still offer a complete line of flooring, and we also now have window treatments, and an increasing focus on kitchen and bath remodeling.”

Residential and Commercial

Regent handles an equal number of residential and commercial projects, and, over time, has had some unusually memorable jobs such as the carpeting in an airplane, and in a brand new movie theater in an area house.

The company does all sizes and types of jobs, and as Rossi points out, depending on budget, customers may not want to take on a full remodel all at once. Projects can be done in increments over time. Consider surface changes, such as new countertops, cabinetry hardware, and backsplash. Even a few changes can give a great new look to a room.

The company’s location in the Pennington Square Shopping Center at 7 Route 31 North in Pennington attracts people from the Princeton and Pennington areas and beyond, and many are longtime customers, whom Rossi knew when he was a boy. In fact, second and even third generations are among the longtime clientele. “Some of them were my dad’s customers,” says Rossi.

He really grew up in the business, he notes, coming in on weekends and after school, and he experienced the full spectrum of the operation, including installation.

“I always knew I wanted to be in the business,” he recalls. “I enjoyed learning how things were done, and helping out on the jobs. I am proud of how we are continuing the business that my father built. I am proud to carry on the family tradition.”

Regent certainly has become the “go to” place for flooring and window treatments. And with the expansion into kitchen and bath remodels, it also offers the convenience of single destination shopping.

Team Work

“The move into kitchen and bath has been very successful.” points out Rossi. “We had been doing backsplashes and countertops, and the customers really pushed us into it. They didn’t want to deal with all the different contractors. Now, we can do it all for them. Everything is selected and coordinated through our team of designers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and tile installers. It’s team work.

“We can show a customer how you can turn a closet into a bathroom by designing it right on our computer. We design everything right here, and they can select everything here.”

Now, more than ever, one’s house should be a haven. As we are spending more time at home — and have been for the last 10 months — it is especially important that it be warm and welcoming, a comfortable and secure  place in which to live and, more and more often, to work.

This winter may be just the right time to give the house a new look with a kitchen or bath remodel, new flooring, or a choice of one of the amazing possibilities in window treatments. A productive and creative wintertime undertaking awaits!

Whether it’s flooring, a remodel, or window treatment, a number of considerations are important factors, points out Rossi. The size of the room, personal taste, lifestyle, and budget are all part of the equation.

“Lifestyle is very important in determining the best choice,” he explains. “How active is the household? Are there kids, pets? Does the family do a lot of cooking? All of these are factors in deciding on the best products for your needs.”

Natural Look

“Customers seem to like anything with a natural look today,” Rossi continues. “This includes natural products, such as stone and wood, or products that look natural, such as laminates.

“The trend today is lighter colors. Gray is popular for carpet, also warm tones including brown, mixed with gray.”

Wall-to-wall carpet is primarily seen in bedrooms now, he reports, while hardwood and area rugs are favored in other rooms.

Tile continues to be very popular for kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, and mud rooms. The Regent tile selection is exceptional and amazingly diverse, with many sample floor designs on display in the attractive and spacious showroom.

Porcelain, stone, and marble are all available, and not only for floors, but for walls as well. Regent’s selection of natural and man-made tile comes from all over the world, including the U.S., notes Rossi, and the color, pattern, and texture choices are extraordinary.

“Porcelain and natural stone are very popular for floors now,” he adds. “There are also laminates that can look like wood or stone, and offer easy maintenance. Vinyl is also used for flooring in many rooms, and is available in sheets, tiles, or planks.”

Shades to Shutters

Granite and quartz are favorites for countertops, and they can have different textures, he points out, such as polished, matte, or leathered.

Window treatments are a rapidly growing part of the business, and a wide variety is on display. From shades to shutters and blinds, there are many styles and designs. Cordless, pleated, vertical, and room darkening options are all available.

“Plantation shutters are popular, and we feature the Gaber brand blinds and shades,” says Rossi. “Also popular is a cordless lift, and motorized blinds.”

Regent carries a full range of major brands in all categories, including Fieldstone cabinets, WoodPro vanities, Kohler plumbing fixtures, Masland carpet, Lauzon hardwood, and Mannington vinyl.

The possibilities in all categories seem limitless. Cabinets, countertops, flooring and wall choices, and window treatments. With so many options, the selection process can be challenging, and helping customers with advice is a Regent priority.

“People are more informed than ever,” reports Rossi. “They have done research on the internet, but they still appreciate our advice. And because they have that knowledge, they appreciate a company that knows what it is doing and has integrity.”

Storewide Sale

There is also a wide price range, and Regent works hard to be as affordable as possible. “We try to have something for everyone’s budget, and we will work with people to find the right product in their price range,” says Rossi. “Right now, we are also offering a storewide sale for the month of January, with substantial savings and discounts.”

After closing voluntarily last March due to the virus, and then opening by appointment only, the store fully reopened soon after. It was considered essential, and customers were eager to come to the showroom. Since then, business has been flourishing.

“A lot of people are fixing up their homes now,” reports Rossi. “We are also getting many new customers who have moved here from the city during the virus. They often want a new look for the house — a kitchen or bath remodel, new flooring, or window treatments.”

When customers do come to the showroom, all safety precautions and state regulations are in effect, including masks, social distancing, etc.

Experienced Professionals

With an awareness that every home and space is unique, Regent is diligent to insure that each customer will receive the best outcome for their needs and wishes.

“What sets us apart is our people, our team of experienced professionals who are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and who really care,” explains Rossi. “The biggest thing we sell is trust, and as one of the oldest businesses in Pennington, we feel more than ever that homeowners want to hire companies that are local and that they can trust.

“We are part of the community here. We sponsor sports teams and charities. This is important to us. We look forward to 2021 and beyond, carrying on our core values of quality sales and service. We plan on renovating many more homes and businesses.

“I love to see a project come together, and see the  customer pleased with an outcome that was above and beyond their expectations,” he adds. “And it is never dull! Every day is different, every job is different, and every customer is different.”

The showroom is open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (609) 737-2466. Website: regentflooringkitchenandbath.com.