Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Just in time for summer remodeling projects, The Kitchen & Bath Shop has opened for business at 2 Reach Rd., under the ownership of Kelly Mathes and Susan Czosnek, offering custom designs at affordable prices.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Bathroom cabinets and fixtures are just some of the items on display at The Kitchen & Bath Shop, located at 2 Reach Rd. in Presque Isle. Here, Susan Czosnek, co-owner of the business, shows off one of the displays.
The mother-daughter team had discussed opening a business together for a few years now, but it wasn’t until a local property in a good location became available that the pair finally decided to make their dream a reality.
“We’d talked about opening a business for about three years. We chose to do an existing home, based on the comfort factor. This provides a small, intimate space,” for customers to view kitchen and bath options, said Mathes.
The women began discussing the possibilities of opening a business in the Presque Isle area in earnest last year. When they began looking for possible sites, that’s when they discovered the Reach Road property was on the market.
“We’d been thinking of doing this for quite a few years. We finally found what we think is the right place,” said Mathes.
“The house was for sale when we started looking. It’s in what we think is a great location,” said Czosnek.
“Things just fell into place,” added Mathes.
Located at the intersection of the Reach Road and Route 1/Caribou Road, the facility offers ample parking and an entrance in back. Once inside, customers can get a feel of how certain cupboards and fixtures might look in a home.
“We have three kitchen displays – one is fully operational – featuring different cupboards, with appliances provided by MPG. We felt it was important for local businesses to support each other. We also have a guest bathroom and master bath display,” said Mathes.
In addition to the kitchen and bath areas, Mathes and Czosnek each have offices that use cupboards and fixtures as an example of how products can serve multiple uses.
“My office is downstairs. Mom has an office upstairs. Each uses cupboards that are available through the manufacturers we work with. Customers can see how materials can be used in various rooms. We’re trying to show with cabinets you have many options,” said Mathes.
The shop features three manufacturers’ products: Candlelight Cabinetry, Dynasty Omega and Homecrest.
“We’re hoping to add one more line at some point,” added Czosnek. “We also carry Witex laminate flooring and several lines of ceramic and hardwood flooring.”
“We also have Congoleum products,” said Mathes.
The one thing you won’t find at the shop are kitchen and bathroom accessories.
“We’re selling everything for an interior kitchen/bath remodel. We don’t carry accessories,” explained Mathes.
The pair bring several years’ experience to the business.
“Between the two of us, we have 12 years in the kitchen and bath design field. Using computer design and technology, we can put the dimensions of your bath or kitchen on the computer and help you determine what cupboards and fixtures will fit your space the best,” said Mathes. “That eliminates the customer buying cupboards, for example, getting them home and finding out that they’re too tall for the space they plan to install them.”
The business serves as a showroom only, since products are made to meet customer specifications.
“We don’t have product on hand for purchase, since everything is made to order for the customer,” said Mathes.
“Ordering depends on which line a customer goes with. Shipments take from four to eight weeks, depending on various factors,” said Czosnek. “We also provide delivery.”
Those factors include how extensive the work involved in an order is and where the product has to be shipped from.
Czosnek said the business isn’t just for homeowners.
“We work with homeowners and contractors as well,” she said. “We think we have a nice blend of products that will fit anyone’s budget. We really tried to put every different kind of wood species. We spent a lot of time trying to get a nice mix.”
With most businesses like theirs operated primarily by men, the women thought they could bring a unique perspective to their venture.
“We thought a mother-daughter owned business would be nice – women owning a small business,” said Czosnek.
“And its nice to have two designers on hand. We can review and compare ideas. Being from different generations is actually a plus, since we can compare ideas. Mom might have something in mind that I hadn’t thought of and vice versa. We see a home’s needs from different perspectives and we can share that with our customers,” said Mathes.
And customers are the women’s top priority.
“One thing we’ll have is customer service. Because there’s just the two of us, we can follow through and give more personalized attention. The customer won’t get lost – won’t be just another order,” said Czosnek.
“Because we own the business, we care,” added Mathes.
Czosnek said customer service is especially important for a small business.
“Customer service is very important because much of our business will be from referrals. If a customer is pleased, they’ll tell their friends and family. If we can please our customers, that will only enhance our opportunities in the future,” said Czosnek.
“It’s important for us that customers leave here happy,” noted Mathes.
Business hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We also are available by appointment,” said Czosnek.
For more information, contact 769-9990. Or if you have building specifications you’d like to send in advance to the business, materail can be sent by fax to 769-9992.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
The Kitchen & Bath Shop, located at 2 Reach Rd. in Presque Isle, officially opened for business May 28. The business has several displays featuring kitchen and bath options, with countless design options possible using products from three distributors. Pictured in one of the model kitchen displays are Susan Czosnek and Kelly Mathes, co-owners of the shop. The mother-daughter team bring years of design experience to the business and are ready to make dreams a reality using state-of-the-art computer design technology.
