With 2026 just around the corner, I was all set to write about the usual New Year inspiration. You know the list. Get in shape. Find the perfect job. Move someplace warm where shoveling snow is only a rumor. Usually, this is the time of year when we convince ourselves that a calendar flip magically turns us into a better version of ourselves.
But after the year we just had, simply making it to the finish line of 2025 feels like a minor miracle. For a lot of people, survival deserves its own parade. So no, I’m not here to rain on your celebration. I’m also not here to sell you on New Year’s resolutions, because we all know how that story usually ends. Somewhere around mid-February, the gym bag becomes a storage container, and the resolution quietly slips out the back door.
What I do believe in is change that actually sticks. Not because it’s trendy, or because someone on social media told you it would make your life perfect, but because it genuinely makes your life better. Let me explain how I stumbled into that lesson.
Not long before the pandemic, I was approaching my forty-ninth birthday while also caring for my father. One evening, I set his dinner plate in front of him and, without missing a beat, he looked up and said, “You’re gettin’ fat, ya know it?” There is nothing quite like blunt parental honesty to take the edge off a long day. He wasn’t trying to be cruel. He was being accurate.
I had gained weight. I was stiff, sore, and tired more often than not. This wasn’t about fitting into smaller jeans or impressing anyone. It was about the slow realization that my body was filing formal complaints. Something needed to change, and the holidays were closing in fast. I had no interest in starvation diets or workout plans that required yelling at a mirror. Whatever I did had to be sustainable.
The first step was figuring out the real problem. I’m not a foodie, so overeating wasn’t the issue. The issue was movement, or the lack of it. I needed to move more, on purpose. So, I started where I felt comfortable. I went to the pool. Swimming has been part of my life since before I could walk, and it felt familiar instead of intimidating.
From there, I added small pieces. Basic core work. Flexibility. A yoga class where I learned that balance is mostly an act of optimism. Eventually, I got back on a bike. None of this happened overnight. It was slow, awkward, and humbling. But I showed up and did something every day.
A few months later, I was swimming two or three times a week, riding a hundred miles on the bike, and doing daily core exercises. It was hard. I mean, really hard. I still don’t love gym culture, but I found my way around it. Over time, the effort paid off. The weight came off, the aches eased, and I even collected a couple of cycling medals.
The real lesson wasn’t about fitness. It was about intention. If you want change, you need a plan, even a simple one. Write it down. Make it realistic. My goal was never “lose twenty pounds.” My goal was “have more energy, less pain, and better sleep.” Not flashy, not measurable, but deeply meaningful.
That approach works for more than health. It applies to careers, relationships, and even how we treat ourselves when things don’t go perfectly. Big change usually comes from small, consistent steps, taken for the right reasons. It doesn’t require January first, fancy equipment, or public announcements. It just requires deciding that you’re worth the effort.
If you’re thinking about making a change, skip the resolution. Choose something that serves your health, your peace, or your happiness. Start small, stay honest, and give yourself credit for showing up. Progress counts, even when no one else notices, and you are capable of more than you think. Keep going, be patient with yourself, and remember that every positive step forward, no matter how small, truly matters more than ever. Happy New Year.
After years of contraction and store closures, Barnes & Noble in is writing a new chapter in its history. The nation’s largest bookseller has announced plans to open more than 60 new stores in 2026, a striking vote of confidence in brick-and-mortar retail and a clear sign that printed materials are enjoying a cultural comeback.
Barnes & Noble has announced it will open more than 60 new stores around the country. One of the most recent open in November in Hamilton, Ohio.
Once viewed as a casualty of e-commerce and e-readers, Barnes & Noble has steadily regained its footing under CEO James Daunt, who has emphasized locally curated stores, knowledgeable booksellers and community engagement. The company now operates roughly 600 locations nationwide and reports strong performance at recently opened stores.
“We’ve seen a real resurgence in interest in physical bookstores,” Daunt has said in recent interviews. “Readers want places that feel human again — where they can browse, discover and spend time. A bookstore should be a cultural space, not just a transaction.”
Industry analysts say the expansion reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior. After years of constant connectivity, many Americans are experiencing digital fatigue — exhaustion from endless screen time, notifications and scrolling. Printed books offer an antidote: no alerts, no blue light and a more immersive reading experience.
“People are deliberately stepping away from screens,” said Dr. Laura Mitchell, a media and consumer-behavior analyst. “Books provide focus and calm in a way digital content doesn’t. There’s something grounding about holding a physical object and engaging with it on your own terms.”
Younger readers are also fueling the trend. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok’s influential #BookTok community, have driven bestseller lists and encouraged a new generation to buy — and collect — physical books. Rather than replacing print, digital platforms are now helping revive it.
The expansion is expected to have a noticeable impact in Ohio, where Barnes & Noble has already opened new locations in recent years and is widely expected to continue growing its footprint. Ohio’s mix of suburban growth, college towns and strong library and reading culture makes it fertile ground for bookstores that double as community gathering places.
While independent bookstores remain cautious about competition, many observers note that Barnes & Noble’s new model relies less on uniformity and more on regional identity, allowing stores to tailor selections and events to local tastes.
For an industry once declared obsolete, the message is clear: the printed page still matters. As Barnes & Noble prepares to open dozens of new stores, it is betting that readers are ready to turn down the screen — and turn the page instead.
(Courtesy of our partners at the Xenia Daily Gazette.)
A notable and relative newcomer to Xenia’s dining scene is Butterbee’s American Grille, located at 217 Progress Drive, directly across from the Hampton Inn. The restaurant opened in August 2024, and while it may be new to the area, its management is anything but inexperienced.
Nabih David brings decades of family-owned restaurant expertise as CEO of the David Restaurant Group, which operates 13 locations throughout the Cincinnati and Mount Orab areas — including the Skyline Chili right next door.
Nabih David, general manager of Xenia’s “Butterbee’s American Grille” restaurant on Progress Dr.
Butterbee’s American Grille officially opened its Xenia doors in August 2024. Often referred to simply as Butterbee’s, the location is one of just four under the brand. Designed as a family-friendly restaurant, it also serves double duty as a sports bar and gathering place for parties and celebrations.
The David Restaurant Group was founded in 1986 by Nabih’s father, Nader David, and today employs roughly 600 full- and part-time workers. Seventy of those employees work at the Xenia Butterbee’s alone. David said the decision to open in Xenia was intentional, noting strong similarities to Mount Orab — a community known for its family-oriented values.
“We saw a lot of potential in Xenia, and we felt the area was underserved by our brands,” David said. “When we purchased the property, the original vision was always to have two restaurants here — Skyline and, eventually, Butterbee’s.”
From the atmosphere to the menu, David said the restaurant was designed with purpose. “We have a hand-scratch kitchen, and everything is made right here in the building,” he said. While quality is consistent across the menu, two items stand out as guest favorites.
“Our signature dishes are our hand-breaded chicken tenders and our fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs,” David said.
For those who may assume the restaurant is too crowded or difficult to access based on its front-facing appearance, David offered some reassurance. “Our building can seat more than 240 people,” he said. “We’re very party-friendly and cater to the masses, whether you’re coming in for a quick lunch, watching a game, or hosting a birthday celebration.”
David Restaurant Group CEO, David Nabih, with the crew at Xenia Butterbee’s American Grille.
He added that additional parking is available behind the building, and guests can always call ahead or order online at http://www.butterbeesgrille.com.
Looking ahead, the Xenia location is expected to play a key role in the future growth of the Butterbee’s brand throughout Greene County. Increasing awareness and foot traffic is a major part of that strategy, and the restaurant is currently offering a holiday gift card promotion to help drive that momentum.
“Right now, when you purchase $50 in gift cards, you receive $20 in bonus gift cards,” David said.
More than promotions or menu items, David emphasized what he hopes the community takes away most from Butterbee’s.
“From ownership to staff to the overall guest experience,” he said, “we put family first.”
(Shared with our partners at the Xenia Daily Gazette)
At Jamestown Café, customers are greeted by a welcoming smile, the smell of fresh coffee, baked treats, and comfort food, and an atmosphere that feels more like a home kitchen than a café. Behind the counter, the staff moves easily from customer to customer, greeting familiar faces and making newcomers feel just as welcome.
Along the wall, people linger over sandwiches, bakery items, ice cream, and specialty drinks, with photos and relics from more than two centuries of Jamestown’s history hanging just above their heads. The café opened in September, and the space feels new, but familiar — warm, relaxed and comfortable, like a place you’ve been invited to stay a while.
This is no ordinary coffee shop, and that feeling didn’t come from a design book or a business plan. It came from the heart, and figuring things out the hard way. Ashley Mannier is not what you’d expect when you picture a café owner — and neither is the path that led her to opening Jamestown Café. But the place, the people, and the story all seem like they were ripped from the script of a Hallmark movie.
When she bought the building, at 9 W. Washington St., Mannier didn’t know how to run a coffee shop. Years earlier, she hadn’t known how to remodel a house either. She was a single mom putting herself through college and barely scraping by financially. “I wasn’t living paycheck to paycheck,” she says. “It was more like paycheck to Wednesday.”
Mannier took advantage of an Obama-era first-time homebuyer tax credit and was approved for a mortgage to buy a foreclosure, despite having little construction or remodeling experience, and with much of her family living overseas. So, she did what a lot of people do when they don’t know where to start: she went to YouTube. “I always joke that I graduated from YouTube University,” Mannier said.
That self-taught education—watching videos, learning by trial and error, and not being afraid to make mistakes—would later prove essential when she decided to turn an aging, long-vacant building on Washington Street into a place where the community could gather. Because for Mannier, the Jamestown Café was never just about coffee. It was about building something real, one lesson at a time, and it started with her family.
Built around 1900, the structure had lived several lives over the years — a shoe store, a tanning and nail salon, and other businesses — before sitting empty and neglected for far too long.
Relics and photos from Jamestown’s history, donated by local residents, hang in frames along the wall.
Inside, nearly everything needed attention. There was leaky, corroded plumbing, outdated electrical wiring, and damage from water and mold. It was the kind of project that can quickly overwhelm even experienced renovators. Mannier, however, wasn’t doing it on her own.
“It’s very expensive to do this kind of work,” she said. “I’m the oldest of ten kids, so I recruited my family to help out, and everyone had their role.” One brother helped with the architectural planning, while her brother-in-law and father built the café counter. “We did it all together.”
With help from village officials, neighboring business owners, her family, and the community, Mannier worked her way through the maze of permits, demolition, construction, and final occupancy. Even with that support, there were moments when the project felt overwhelming.
The challenges extended outside as well. “We rebuilt the entire front of the building,” Mannier said. “We jacked up the main beam and ripped everything out to put in new joists.”
Many of the café’s furnishings came from materials Mannier had collected over the years, often without knowing exactly how or where they would be used. Over time, those pieces found their place. “I’d had this front door for a while and didn’t know what to do with it,” she said. “But here, it’s perfect.”
Before and after renovation photos of the cafe’s building at 9 W. Washington St.
Today, the brickwork and large front windows give the building a classic small-town look. The updates bring it squarely into the present while still honoring its past, much like the café itself. For longtime residents who remember the building in its earlier lives, the transformation is almost hard to believe. Their first reactions tend to be wide-eyed, followed by a slow smile.
Jamestown Café’s warmth isn’t just from a hot cup of coffee; it radiates from the crew behind the counter – including Kearra, Sarah, and Abbey – a group of employees who clearly enjoy being there. Their energy fills the space, turning a renovated building into something more than a café: a place that feels alive.
Jamestown Café Staff (L to R) Owner, Ashley Mannier, Kearra Anthony, Sarah Davidson, and Abbey Yates.
Nineteen-year-old Kearra Anthony was somewhat surprised when her parents decided to move from Jeffersonville to Jamestown, but she came with them.
“One of my friends got a job here first, and I’ve always wanted to work at a coffee shop,” Anthony said. “Ashley was up on a ladder tiling and gave me an interview.” She said the job is a perfect fit for her because, “I like people and I like being around people.”
Sarah Davidson, 31, is a stay-at-home parent who was looking for a flexible, part-time work option. The café was ideal: a woman-owned small business with a flexible schedule and a real sense of family.
Mannier told Davidson she was hiring some younger women and needed a “mom figure.” Davidson was sold. “I bring the mother energy, and I love it,” Davidson said, who is also the master blender behind all the café’s tea selections.
Abbey Yates is 19 and lives in Jamestown. “In May, I emancipated from foster care and moved into an apartment, and I was looking for employment,” Yates said. “I was walking downtown and noticed someone working inside and asked if they were hiring.” But it took a little more than that before she was brought aboard. “Abbey asked me for a job three different times,” Mannier said, smiling. “I’m so glad I hired her; she’s one of our best workers.”
Each of the women lights up when they talk about their work and Mannier. They exude such excitement and pride that it is apparent they have found a sense of purpose and family with Mannier and the café.
Speaking of family, it wasn’t just the men in Mannier’s family who contributed to the business. Her mother, Jackie, plays a significant role in this endeavor too – she’s the café’s official baker. “A mother of ten, my mom was a little nervous to start this,” Mannier said. “But she’d been cooking for the masses for years, and her best skill is being a giving person.”
Abbey Yates has become known as the “Panini Slinger” at Jamestown Café.
Mannier said her mom came to her and offered to help, and is now an invaluable part of the team. “She does all of the baked goods, and she’s always trying to come up with something new every week,” she said. “Fudge, cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls – she does all of it and spends a lot of time researching all of it. And she loves being part of something bigger than herself. This place is glued together by what she’s doing, and it wouldn’t exist if she weren’t willing to be a part of it. I couldn’t do it without her.”
And the rest of the menu? That didn’t happen until a couple of weeks before they opened. From the outset, the concept was to keep it simple: café fare with homemade flair. At first, Mannier and her staff were learning the ropes together, how to use the equipment, which drinks to offer, and the best way to make them. But they’ve hit the old standards too – recently introducing a morning biscuits and gravy recipe that regularly sells out.
Public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. First fueled by curiosity, the café is gaining a regular following and great reviews. “When we first opened, people were really excited,” Yates said. “There weren’t really like good sitting places, and now there are people who are coming in every day, we get to know them.”
What’s next for Jamestown Café? According to Mannier, more of the same, keeping with her original vision. “We have space in the back, and we’re going to put a patio area back there,” she explained. “And I want to continue to work more with other downtown building owners and local businesses to keep doing more to bring people down here.”
Right from the beginning, Mannier envisioned Jamestown Café to be all about offering her community a routine, a third place. It has become exactly that, and it’s run by Jamestown residents who believe their customers are much more than just a coffee order. They’re family.
For more information visit the shop. Check out their Facebook page for regular posts on hours and specials.
Gallery – Photos by Gery Deer (unless otherwise noted)
Front facade framing after demolition. (photo provided by A. Mannier)Interior of the cafe building looking forward to W. Washington St. – Before renovation. (Photo provided by A. Mannier)Before renovations. (Photo provided by A Mannier)Merchandise. Photo by Gery DeerCoffees, teas, mugs. Photo by Gery DeerSpecialty items. Photo by Gery Deer Mugs Photo by Gery DeerBakery and fudge counter. Photo by Gery Deer
To protect yourself in extreme cold, layer clothing, cover extremities (hats, mittens, warm boots), and stay dry; for your home, seal drafts with weatherstripping and caulk, insulate pipes, keep thermostats around 65°F (or higher), close curtains at night, and gather emergency supplies like blankets, flashlights, and food for potential power outages.
Personal Protection
Layer Up: Wear multiple layers of loose, lightweight, warm clothing, including a wind-resistant outer layer, to trap heat.
Protect Extremities: Mittens (warmer than gloves), hats, scarves, and waterproof, insulated boots are crucial.
Cover Your Mouth: Protect your lungs from the extreme cold by covering your mouth.
Stay Dry: Change out of wet clothes immediately to prevent chilling.
Stay Aware: Recognize signs of hypothermia (shivering, confusion) and frostbite; seek warmth immediately if symptoms appear.
Home Protection (Preventing Damage & Heat Loss)
Seal Drafts: Caulk cracks, use weatherstripping on doors/windows, and add foam seals to exterior outlets.
Insulate: Add insulation to attics, walls, and especially around exposed pipes in unheated areas like garages.
Protect Pipes: Disconnect hoses, drain outdoor faucets, and wrap indoor pipes in unheated spots.
Windows & Doors: Keep blinds/curtains closed at night to trap heat; use plastic window kits for extra insulation.
Manage Heat: Keep your thermostat at least at 65°F, use space heaters safely, and consider closing off unneeded rooms.
Check on Seniors
As always, check on seniors and disabled family and neighbors.
Watch your local news and the National Weather Service for the latest on the cold and snow.
Xenia, Ohio – The holiday season is getting a cheerful kickstart at the Community STE[A]M Academy, where families are invited to a “Very Merry Open House” on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 855 Lower Bellbrook Rd. in Xenia.
The school promises a relaxed, family-friendly evening—complete with holiday fun and a special appearance from the big guy himself. Santa will be on hand to hear Christmas wishes and spread plenty of festive spirit.
But the event isn’t just about holiday magic. It’s also a chance for prospective families to get a closer look at what makes the Community STE[A]M Academy unique. Visitors can tour the building, chat with teachers and staff, and learn more about the school’s hands-on, project-based approach.
If you’re wondering about that extra “A” in STE[A]M, the academy is happy to explain. While STEM focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, STEAM adds the Arts into the mix—recognizing creativity, design thinking, and expression as essential parts of problem-solving. At the Community STE[A]M Academy, students use both technical skills and artistic thinking to explore and innovate, whether they’re studying robotics, environmental science, or digital design.
That blend of creativity and science will be on display during the open house, as middle and high school students present their latest sustainability projects. Guests can also roll up their sleeves for some hands-on holiday fun, including cookie decorating and watercolor card making—starting with making the paint from scratch.
School leaders say the evening is meant to be fun, festive, and informative. Whether you’re exploring enrollment or just want to enjoy a little holiday cheer, everyone is welcome.
“It’s a night you won’t want to miss,” organizers said. “Bring the family, join the fun, and see what makes our STE[A]M community so special.” For more information, contact Kim Haines, Communications Coordinator at 937-800-2720.
It’s a snow day! When the Miami Valley wakes up under a fresh layer of snow, it’s easy to marvel at the postcard scene outside the window. But once the beauty wears off and the day begins, reality sets in: snow doesn’t just fall — it complicates everything. From the moment flakes start sticking, people begin weighing a thousand tiny decisions, most of them involving whether they really need to leave the house. And on an actual snow-emergency day, the smartest thing you can do may be to simply sit still.
Local travel is usually the first thing to rethink. Emergency management agencies classify conditions in stages for a reason. When your county hits a Level 2 or 3, that’s the universe gently suggesting you reevaluate how urgent that trip to Kroger really is. Roads glazed with snow or hidden sheets of ice aren’t just inconvenient; they eliminate any sense of control a driver might think they have. Unless you’re a first responder or someone who must physically be at work to function, staying off the roads isn’t just a personal safety decision — it’s a public service, giving plows and salt trucks the room they need.
Parents know the drill better than anyone: snow means checking school websites and social media with an intensity usually reserved for playoff scores. A delay may buy more time to clear buses and parking lots, while a closing often indicates conditions that simply won’t improve quickly enough. The schools aren’t being dramatic; they’re thinking about children waiting at bus stops in the dark, buses navigating untreated roads, and teen drivers who, despite their confidence, don’t yet have the experience to predict how a car behaves on ice. In these moments, the safest classroom is often the living room.
Adults face their own version of this decision when it comes to work. Many employers have embraced remote options, but not everyone has that luxury. The rule of thumb is simple: if your local authorities have issued a travel warning, it’s time to have a candid conversation with your boss. No paycheck is worth sliding through an intersection sideways. Responsible employers understand that a late arrival beats no arrival at all, and an employee calling in safe beats one calling in from a ditch.
Even those staying home aren’t entirely off the hook. Snow doesn’t shovel itself, and for many people, the driveway becomes the day’s primary battleground. But shoveling is more than clearing a path — it’s a legitimate physical workout, the kind that has sent more than a few otherwise healthy people to the emergency room. Pushing heavy, wet snow raises blood pressure and heart rate faster than most people expect. Taking smaller loads, working slowly, and stopping the moment you feel winded or lightheaded can make the difference between a cleared driveway and a medical emergency. If you own a snowblower, remember that the machine can clog, and attempting to clear it while it’s running has ended more than a few fingers. Turn it off. Always.
The truth is, snow days are a peculiar mix of joy and jeopardy. Kids see sleds and cocoa. Adults see commutes, delays, and strained shoulders. Yet buried in all that hassle is a small opportunity: permission to pause. Maybe the safest way to handle a snow emergency is to treat it as a reminder that not everything must happen right now. Roads will clear. Schools will reopen. Work will wait. And if you approach the day with a little common sense — the kind your grandparents preached long before weather apps existed — you’ll be around to enjoy the next snow day too, instead of spending it in a tow truck or an ER waiting room.
Winter storms demand respect, not fear. And if we keep our priorities straight — safety over schedules, caution over convenience — we can get through them with little more than cold toes and a warm story to tell once the sun comes back out. *
Note: You can stay up to date by watching The Jamestown Comet.com Facebook page. We post regular updates, share news and weather information from all of the major local outlets, and national news that affects you here at home.
The Xenia Daily Gazette is inviting local writers and storytellers to take part in its first annual Holiday Short Story Contest, which is going on now. Sponsored by McIlvaine Realtors, the contest encourages community members to put their holiday reflections into words under this year’s theme: “What the holidays mean to me.”
The inaugural contest is open to anyone age 12 and older, and entries may be up to 800 words in length. Stories should be sent as attachments or pasted into the email body to editor@xeniagazette.com by December 15, 2025. All entries must include the writer’s name, address, phone number, and email address.
The winner will receive a $50 VISA gift card, courtesy of McIlvaine Realtors, and their work will be published in both the Xenia Daily Gazette and the Fairborn Daily Herald during Christmas week, giving the author a special spotlight during the holiday season.
To help select the winning story, the Gazette has brought in a familiar local voice: Gery Deer, longtime contributing journalist, columnist, and author of the Gazette’s “Deer In Headlines” series, who will serve as one of the judges. Deer is participating courtesy of GLD Communications in Jamestown, which has supported Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) for the last three years through its national literacy initiative.
Deer said the contest offers the community an exceptional opportunity to reflect on what makes the season meaningful. “This is the time of year when family means the most, memories become stories told to new generations, and sharing seems to be at the heart of the season,” he said. “We hope people will share their stories with us and maybe even inspire others to write something as well.”
The Gazette hopes the new contest will become a cherished annual tradition, welcoming writers of all skill levels—from students and first-time storytellers to seasoned creatives looking for a festive way to express themselves.
Entries will be judged on originality, clarity, and how well they capture the holiday theme. While participation is open beyond Greene County, organizers are especially hopeful for strong involvement from area schools, families, and aspiring writers eager to share what the holidays mean to them.
McIlvaine Realtors, known for their long-standing support of community programs, expressed enthusiasm about sponsoring the first-ever contest and encouraging a new generation of local storytellers.
The Ohio State Route 72 bridge over Caesar Creek in Jamestown is open to traffic. The main construction project on SR 72 in Greene County, which included pavement repairs and resurfacing, is largely complete as of August 2024. Minor finishing work may still be occurring, but it should have little impact on motorists.
A workmen clears debris from the newly completed bridge and sidewalks over Cedar Creek in Jamestown on State Route 72.
At an estimated cost of $2,060,000, the bridge preservation project began in late 2024 and completed on schedule. the new three span bridge was expanded from the two span and modified to promote better hydraulic flow of the creek below.
Photo taken from the east (post office) side of the new three span bridge illustrates a more substantial structure, where the old one stood. 
Finishing touches are being completed on the bridge now, but all through traffic, including access to the Jamestown location of the United States post office, and all sidewalks are open for business.
Dayton, Ohio – Choosing new flooring can be stressful, especially at the holidays. Between juggling color samples, hauling planks from the store, and second-guessing how everything will look at home, consumers often find themselves overwhelmed. But Floor Coverings International of Southeast Dayton put the showroom on wheels, changing that forever. (Watch the full story.)
Floor Coverings International of Southeast Dayton operates on a simple but effective premise: bring the entire flooring selection process directly to the customer’s doorstep. The company’s Mobile Flooring Showroom®, a van packed with hundreds of flooring samples, allows homeowners to view options right where they’ll be installed — in their own homes, under their own lighting.
“It’s one thing to pick a sample under bright store lights; it’s another to see it next to your furniture or in your natural light,” said Eric Curtis, owner of the Southeast Dayton franchise. “We realized that customers make better choices when they can actually see how a floor will look in the environment where it’s going to live.”
Curtis, who has a background in retail and customer experience management, said the idea isn’t just about convenience — it’s also about accuracy. The mobile showroom is equipped with a wide range of materials including hardwood, luxury vinyl, carpet, and tile. Customers can compare texture, tone, and durability on-site, while a design consultant measures the space and creates an estimate during the same visit.
Production coordinator James Morrison oversees many of the installations and noted that the approach improves workflow from start to finish. “We take the guesswork out. When people see how the flooring interacts with their wall color or lighting, they make confident decisions. That means fewer returns, fewer delays, and a better final result.”The company’s service model also integrates installation planning into the same visit, which office manager Jeremy Totten said reduces miscommunication between sales staff and installers — a common complaint in the flooring industry. “We order everything and prepare it for the installers, so they have everything they need when they go out.”
“By the time we arrive to install, the customer already knows exactly what they’re getting. The measurements are done, the materials are correct, and they’ve seen everything in place ahead of time,” Morrison continued. “That cuts down on surprises and helps us deliver a cleaner, faster installation.”
Customers who have used the service have echoed those sentiments, noting that seeing samples in their own spaces helped them make better decisions. Curtis said that kind of feedback confirms what the company has seen nationwide: that convenience, paired with transparency, builds stronger relationships.
“The flooring business has always been about trust,” Curtis said. “People are letting us into their homes — that’s personal. When we can bring the entire process to them and make it easy, it changes the tone completely. They feel like we’re partners in the project, not just salespeople.”
As the home improvement industry continues to adapt to changing consumer expectations, Curtis believes this model represents a broader shift toward mobile and in-home services. “We’ve seen people order everything from cars to groceries from their phones,” he said. “Why shouldn’t they expect the same level of service and convenience when they’re making a major design decision for their home?”
For now, the team at Floor Coverings International of Southeast Dayton is focused on serving homeowners across the region, rolling their showroom from neighborhood to neighborhood. “It’s still about craftsmanship,” Curtis added. “We just found a way to make the process smarter — and a lot less stressful for the customer.”
The Jamestown Comet 