On a recent trip to Portugal, Peter Schultz got to observe cork trees being harvested by hand. But he wasn’t thinking about wine.
As the owner of The Floor Shop, Peter knew that cork is an amazing floor for homes and cottages. It feels warm underfoot and offers a forgiving surface for heavy furniture and high-traffic areas. It’s also a great sound-absorber, making it a practical choice for busy households.
“Cork flooring is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees,” Peter explains. “The tree isn’t damaged, as the bark grows back every nine years. The same crop of trees can be used to produce cork over and over again. A single cork oak tree has a lifespan of up to 200 years, during which time it can yield 20 or more harvests.”
Fresh from his trip, Peter is notably excited about the low impact this product has on the environment.
“In addition to the traditional woods we’ve carried, customers can opt for cork-based flooring with wood, burled, or ceramic-look print on the surface,” says James Schultz, who along with his sister Jaclyn, represents the next generation of Floor Shop experts.
“It allows for a slightly different aesthetic, with that same warm feel that standard cork provides.”
It’s this type of start-to-finish commitment that keeps this family business thriving after 33 years in a competitive market.
From sourcing high-quality products from manufacturing partners Amorim and Torlys, to thoughtful work alongside designers and contractors, trust and a personal touch are key at every stage.
The Schultz family has been in the flooring business since 1989, and their tradition-meets-technology approach garners customer loyalty. “It’s one thing to have a business, and another to build a clientele and be an integral part of a community that can really trust you,” says James.
Face-to-face, in-home consultations are vital when it comes to finding just the right flooring for a customer. “These consults are a great way to have a flooring professional guide you to the best possible material for your home and your lifestyle,” says Jaclyn. The company works with plenty of contractors, and also takes pride in maintaining long-term relationships with homeowners and their own team members.
“I greatly value our store staff and our installers,” says Peter. Several members of the professional installation team have been with the company for over fifteen years; a few have been on staff for over twenty years.
“I can do pretty well every job in the company,” Peter goes on to explain. “But I cannot install a floor. That’s very, very specialized work.”
It all adds up to a great blend of tradition and new technology, bundled in one company that services Muskoka with pride. Call that a winning combination.
TEXT MARNIE WOODROW | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
