WATSONVILLE—A new flooring store is in the works for downtown Watsonville. Samaya’s Flooring and Design Center is slated for a post-Thanksgiving soft opening in the former Van’s Shoes on East Lake Avenue, said owner Nima Chiring.
The store will be a sister business of Samaya’s Eco-Flooring, which opened in 2005 at 317 Portrero St. in Santa Cruz. The same business has another branch that opened in San Francisco in 1999.
“We did a lot of work trying to get a feel of the market around Watsonville,” Chiring said. “I talked to a couple investors and I heard some people saying that nothing happens in Watsonville. But I think differently. I’m relying on my own guts. I feel like the city is ready for the chance to bring in something new.”
Samaya’s Eco-Flooring offers a complete selection of environmentally friendly flooring products and accessories, including bamboo, hardwood, cork, Marmoleum, laminate, reclaimed and salvaged flooring and even carpets, according to its website.
It also provides installation, refinishing, sanding and recoating services.
The store is Build It Green certified, and most of its products are made with non-formaldehyde adhesives and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)—the only certification of its kind supported by The Sierra Club, The Natural Resources Defense Council, Greenpeace, and The World Wildlife Fund.
Chiring said he has learned through research that a good number of flooring clients currently choose to do the installation themselves.
“So we also want to cater to these ‘do-it-yourself’ clients like contractors, designers, architects and even homeowners,” Chiring said.
Their product line will include tile carpets, which Chiring said is popular now, especially in businesses. He added that the business will mostly feature wood and waterproof flooring.
“We want to work together with the community,” Chiring said. “We’re hoping to have a soft opening just after Thanksgiving. Right now we’re working on a new floor, paint and creating a showroom. There will be other detail work as we go.”
The building is about 4,500 square feet.
Chiring said a grand opening will be in the works further down the road.
“As far as the building goes, I’ll just keep it as much the same to value the history,” he said. “People have been very supportive; they seem happy.”
