| Ed Howa stands inside his new Southeast Paint store in downtown Price. |
Ed Howa has owned Southeast Paint for three years. As a business the retail outlet has been part of Carbon county for over 20 years.
A few months ago Howa saw an opportunity and made a move for the better by relocating his paint, wallpapering and blind business to downtown Price. It is one of several new businesses that have relocated in the downtown area. He has set the grand re-opening of the new store for April 12.
“We are in a bigger space and seeing many new faces,” says Howa, as he explained the reasoning behind his move. “We did our homework, asked questions, and everything looked favorable to make this move.”
Howa did admit that he made a move against the grain, because in recent years more businesses appear to move out of downtown towards the strip malls. But with the opportunity to expand his floor space as well as the shops storage space he made the decision to invest in downtown and as he puts it “in ourselves.”
The new store is located in the former Office Equipment location which moved across the street leaving the space for Southeast Paint to expand.
“We are in a bigger space and it’s a good change,” says Howa, explaining that part of his expansion includes developing a craft corner offering material for people interested in crafting. He has also added a Faux painting play room where people have space to practice their painting techniques. In addition, his new store is a showroom for Balance Rock Tile and he has expanded his Fuller O’Brien paints and accessories a well along with paper and custom made blinds.
Howa complemented Toni Vigil who develops all his in store decorations and displays. “She definitely makes our store look like a design center.” Service has always been an important part of Howa’s business goal and his trained staff helps people coordinate all their decorating needs, including wallpaper, colors and styles.