I’ve rented my whole life, so there’s a lot of things I’ve never shopped for: Lawnmowers, snow shovels, refrigerators and carpeting. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever walked into a carpet store in my life. As I was perusing the “C” section (the pregnant pages) of the Yellow Pages, I saw an ad for Sutton Carpeting, a family-owned carpet store that's been on McClure for over 75 years.
Our fingers have done the walking so far, now it’s time to let the MBIP mobile do the driving and it’s off to Sutton’s Carpet Center we go!
Off we go on yet another painfully bright day, at least the snow has melted and I think winter is finally over!
Wow, this place is huge, it's like a stadium of carpet!
Let's go in...hey, what's that note on the door?
They're hiring, if you have what it takes to be a seller of carpeting, inquire within and feel free to use MBIP as a reference!
Sutton's, Peoria's family name for carpeting!
Wow, it really is huge in here and this is one impressive showroom...hey, I think I see a familiar face over there...
It's Dan Sutton, the owner of Sutton's Carpet Center. He's the third generation owner of the establishment.
Dan's also a life-long local musician here in Peoria and we last saw him at the Beatles 50th Anniversary Show at Limelight Eventplex where this picture was taken. You can read that post here. Past bands that Dan has played in include: Gulliver, Actual Proof and The Big Oldies All Star Band.
Desks line the outer walls in here and I bet there's a lot of history in those framed pictures on the wall, let's go take a look.
Here's the founder of Sutton Carpet Center, Cecil Sutton, Dan's grandfather. He started the carpeting business back in 1938.
This is a photo of the original carpet store which was located at Sheridan and Nebraska. They've been in their current location here at 123 W. McClure Avenue since 1990.
Here's an ad announcing a new department in the store back in the day.
I'm guessing this is a crew from the mid '70's.
Sidewalk Sale! I love the photo heads on the cartoon bodies in this ad.
They remind me of the old "16 Magazine" covers from the '60's. Yes, I'm that old.
Dan's the third generation Sutton in the business and the fourth generation have followed in his footsteps, from left: Dan's son, David and Dan's nephew Shawn continue the family tradition.
Here's a shot from the back of the spacious front showroom.
Heavenly colors await you at Sutton Carpet Center!
In addition to carpeting you can also get hardwood floors and tiling here at Sutton's.
Here's Dan and David at work behind the front counter.
There's a kiddie-land in here if you've brought your toddlers along on your shopping expedition. Happily, none were present on this day.
There's another large showroom here is the back. This place is massive!
The Galleria...wasn't that the name of the mall in Fast Times At Ridgemont High?
Dan told me they do both residential and commercial work.
Wow, check out these exotic rugs in yet another showroom.
And if you need carpeting and you're on a tight budget, these squares go for one and two dollars apiece.
And check it out...SNACKS!
In a Seinfeldian moment, I went with the junior Mints. Thanks to Dan for a fun tour and we'll see you all tomorrow!
Sutton Carpet Center
123 W. McClure Avenue
Peoria
309-682-7711
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