November 07, 2019 2 min read
As the company grows, Grand Banks has taken over a larger and larger footprint at 7 Crafts Road. When Lansing Banks first bought the building in 1996, it was full of tenants. Slowly we took over the entire first floor. For the first 20 years, we all worked on the showroom floor. It was a great way to stay connected with our customers, but it also took up a lot of space and came with a lot of distractions. As we continued to grow we knew it was time for a change.
The plan to renovate did not move quickly. Good design takes time, and we wanted nothing less than the best. We wanted to create inspirational spaces for builders, homeowners and architects to meet and bring their projects to life. Leah Bonarrigo, our designer, had her work cut out for her.
One of the first steps we were able to take in our renovation was moving our desks upstairs to a team office. This was a great way for us to create more space downstairs and gave our team room to focus on design and larger projects.
After moving the desks upstairs, we began breaking down the showroom. We took out the kitchen displays (and even found them a new home). We started breaking down walls and eventually got rid of our main counter. That was a big milestone for us. The counter itself was simple, sturdy and had history. Countless designs and window schedules were passed across that counter. Most of our business was done over that counter.
Once we stripped everything down, and started framing out walls, we started to get excited. Even though we had been walking the path for a while it finally felt like we were getting somewhere. That’s the way this process goes. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It might even be 5 marathons.
Before renovations, the showroom had a dark, carpeted floor. We have pretty low ceilings so it made the space feel cramped. Our new floors are made of engineered white oak with an oiled finish, and they really help brighten everything up. After the renovations, our space in unrecognizable in the best way.
When our clients walk in the door, we aren’t just selling products off the shelf. We don’t just sell products, we help people invest in their homes and their lives. We understand that the renovation and building process can feel overwhelming, but it’s also full of exciting opportunities. We want to help that process go as smoothly as possible. Changing your home changes the infrastructure of your life.
This year has been big for us. We’ve completed renovations and now, we are excited to announce our new logo. We have evolved a lot over the past 30 years, and we feel like this change is something that embodies our growth. This has been an incredible journey and experience for us, and we are grateful that you’re here with us.
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