The Rug Outlet, Inc RUGS - Art for your floors
  Friday, 21 November 2008  
 
THE RUG OUTLET,INC.'s MISSION
Rug Outlet, Inc. is committed to offering our customers the highest standards in service and convenience while providing a product of the finest quality. Our goal is to have our customers leave the Rug Outlet, more educated about their selection and confident they have invested well in a product that will fulfill their needs and expectations for many years.
 
HISTORY OF THE RUG OUTLET,INC.
This service-oriented, family-owned business has provided quality and service to the region and beyond for two decades. Customer satisfaction is paramount. Not only should a rug meet the floor covering needs with respect to size and color, but an emotional bond with the carpet is encouraged. As with any art, it should make you feel good!

Family enthusiasm, pride and dedication offer a comfortable, positive experience. After retiring from the floor covering business with Montgomery Ward, Ted Oshirak opened a rug and antiques store in downtown Lewisburg, PA. in 1983. Now located in Brookpark Farms, The Rug Outlet, Inc. continues to offer quality and selection to its customers.

Pheobe admires one of the many rugs that she and Ted selected together. From photo by Erica L. Shames
Pheobe admires one of the many
rugs that she and Ted selected
together.
From photo by Erica L. Shames In 1996 Ted was diagnosed with schleroderma and his wife, Phoebe, closed the three stores that she owned, Peachbottoms, Sweethearts and Phoebe's Gourmet, to work with her husband. She had been buying rugs with him since the store's inception, learning about the history, manufacturing, and quality of rugs. After Ted's death, Pheobe took over the business. She has been joined by her daughter, Jennifer Berni, who also offers a faux finishing service to enhance the environment.

Inventories includes a spectrum of price, style and size. You will find machine-made synthetics, hand-knotted from Cairo and Tibet, Iran wool rugs. From new to pristine semi-antique, the Lewisburg store stocks a larger selection than most emporiums. Rugs can also be special ordered. Pheobe travels the world to personally select unique pieces.

Education is part of the process. Customers arrive knowing little more than the fact that they want a rug. Many fear that salespeople are out to deceive them. Phoebe and her staff consider it part of their job to educate them as to what makes a good rug and what is a sign of poor quality. Honesty is one of their basic business tenets. While the decision on a purchase is a personal one, they will advise and consult with respect to whether the rug they are considering will go well in a given area.

Technology has been added to enhance the rug buying experience, not distance the customer. A video kiosk is located within the store. The web site offers:
  • a technique for viewing some of the rug offerings
  • definitions of rug terms
  • care and educational tips in the Rug 101 section of the site
  • a chance to view the store policies in writing so that you understand that the company stands behind what they sell.
People are still available in person and by phone to answer any questions and offer expertise.