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16 | August 9, 2018 | The lake forest leader NEWS LakeForestLeader.com Longtime Wilmette business continues to thrive Owner, a Lake Forest resident, part of the success Alexa Burnell Freelance Reporter Lake Forest resident Doug Stein says that when exceptional service is combined with skilled craftsmanship, the result is a thriving business that can stand the test of time. Stein would know — he has owned Kashian Bros since 2004, taking over a business that has been a part of Wilmette history since 1910. While only a rug cleaning business at first, Kashian Bros evolved when Jim Allan (1960-2004) took over, and has further grown leaps and bounds over the past 14 years, through Stein’s commitment to excellent customer service and investments in the latest technology and research. “I was once a customer and the very first thing I noticed about [Kashian Bros] was the people. There were so many terrific and talented individuals; I knew I had stumbled upon something unique,” Stein said. With his faith in the folks fully secured, Stein proudly took ownership, intrigued at the growth opportunity at hand. His first thoughts centered around updating the business with a new warehouse, new cleaning equipment, remodeled showroom, phones, computers and everything in between. Stein also focused on expanding services. When he learned about a new dust-free method of sanding floors he, “jumped right in with both feet.” Employees (left to right) Manual Surtu, Mike Kepraios, Lake Forest resident and owner Doug Stein, Nancy Vert, Kevin Kraus, of Kashian Bros, located at 1107 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette. Alexa Burnell/22nd Century Media To him, the investment in high-quality technology and equipment fit with his overall goals. “We were the first ones on the market to introduce dust-free sanding and people couldn’t believe the process,” Stein said. “We decided from there on out that investing in the technology that could help us get the job done better, faster and easier and even healthier was to be our focus.” Soon Stein invested in other top-of-the-line products and methods like quick dry stains and water- based finishes, free of toxic fumes. They don’t cut corners, even milling their own parquet flooring, cutting and assembling specific to a customer’s desire. In fact, they custom tailor each job to achieve the client’s goals, making the work enjoyable because “no two jobs are the same; each project is custom to what the client is trying to achieve,” Stein explained. Last year, Stein added tile and countertops to their list of expertise, becoming a one stop shop for a customer’s interior needs. With 70 percent of their business coming from the surrounding North Shore neighborhoods, Stein and the crew pride themselves on being able to provide multiple flooring services with consistent, reliable and compassionate customer service. “What makes us feel good is the relationships we build with our customers. In Villages like those on the North Shore, people want to know who the business owner is, which is why I’m always on site and available to speak to anyone who may stop by,” Stein said. “We don’t just sell material; we install, repair, clean and advise our customers. We work like crazy to make our customers happy; to make them feel valued.” With business booming in Wilmette, Stein recently took another leap of faith, purchasing a second store, Deerpath Carpets, in Lake Forest, infusing the new business with the same values Kashian Bros is known for. “Whether in Lake Forest or Wilmette, I believe people want to come to work with an expert; someone they can trust to do the job with utmost integrity and skill. I know that is what we provide,” Stein said. “The people who work here don’t only love to sell flooring, they love the craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the quest to perfect each job and to see each job as unique and individual. This is no cookie-cutter business.” To learn more about Kashian Bros, visit www. kashianbros.com or pop in at 1107 Greenleaf Ave. in Wilmette to meet Stein and his team.
LakeForestLeader.com SOUND OFF the lake forest leader | August 9, 2018 | 17 Social snapshot Top Stories Top stories from www.lakeforestleader.com as of Aug. 6 1. The circle of life 2. Police Reports: Driver OK after rollover in Lake Bluff 3. A Look Into History: Deerpath Theater to Hawaii Five-O 4. Bernie’s Book Bank stacks world’s largest book pyramid with 144K books 5. Youth sailors find good competition at <strong>LF</strong> regatta Become a member: LakeForestLeader.com/plus The Lake Forest Police Department posted this photo on Aug. 3. The Lake Forest Police Department posted this photo Officer Ted Yep, who retires after 30 years of service to the City of Lake Forest. Like The Lake Forest Leader: facebook.com/ TheLakeForestLeader Check out Tom Cardamone “Enjoying a beautiful morning run in Egg Harbor with my beautiful wife of 17 years (happy anniversary one week early) while my brain is exploding with ideas for the upcoming school year @LakeForestSD67 Best of both worlds! #balance #findingjoy67 #fitleaders” @ TCardamone67. On Aug. 3 Lake Tom Cardamone tweeted about his summer vacation before the start of school. Follow The Lake Forest Leader: @The<strong>LF</strong>Leader go figure 110 An intriguing number from this week’s edition Lake Forest Day celebrated its 110th anniversary this year, Page 3 From the Editor Help take The Leader around the world Alyssa Groh alyssa@lakeforestleader.com If you know anything about me from reading my weekly editorials, it is that I love to travel and see the world. While traveling outside of the U.S. is fun and teaches you about different cultures, I believe we can still learn a lot traveling within the U.S. As a kid, my parents took us on trips within the U.S., we traveled all over Wisconsin, up to Lake Superior, all over Florida to Iowa and Indiana and more. During those trips we went hiking and learned about nature, went to a variety of museums and when we went to Lake Superior we learned about the Great Lakes, trade and more. A few years ago, I took my travels outside of the U.S. and have now been to India, China, Thailand, Ireland, Scotland, Bahamas and Mexico. During these travels, I have learned a lot about different cultures, languages, poverty and stepped out of my comfort zone and tried food I was very unfamiliar with. One thing that is similar among all of my travels was learning a little bit about history. Wherever I go, I try to learn something new about how the area has evolved or some type of history that makes the area unique. But, my favorite thing about traveling is talking to the locals and hearing about what their daily lives are like in the area, and understanding a little bit more about the people who live there. If you read The Lake Forest Leader last week, you may have seen we are hosting another contest — our annual Family Vacation Photo Contest. Each year this contest gets the most participation and I look forward to seeing your pictures each year. Last year, we had more than 10 entries of residents traveling all over the world. I loved seeing where residents traveled last year and seeing a variety of creative pictures people took on their travels. What do you need to do to enter this contest? It is easy! If you traveled somewhere this summer, send us a picture that captured a part of your vacation. This picture will give you a chance to win a prize from a local business. While I spent the first half of this year traveling outside of the U.S., this summer has been spent traveling within the U.S. I have included a picture of one of my favorite memories from this summer. I spent a lot of the summer traveling around the Midwest waterskiing competitively. I began waterskiing when I was 3 years old and joined the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team when I was 12. This weekend we head to Janesville, Wis. Editor Alyssa Groh performs a trick on her swivel ski during the Central Regional Waterski Tournament July 15 in Warsaw, Ind. Photo Submitted. where we compete at the national tournament. What were the highlights of your summer? Send me a picture for a chance to win our annual Family Vacation Photo The Lake Forest Leader Sound Off Policy Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from 22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole. The Lake Forest Leader encourages readers to write letters to Sound Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited to 400 words. The Lake Forest Leader reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become property of The Lake Forest Leader. Letters that are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Lake Forest Leader. Letters can be mailed to: The Lake Forest Leader, 60 Revere Drive ST 888, Northbrook, IL, 60062. Fax letters to (847) 272-4648 or email to alyssa@lakeforestleader.com. www.lakeforestleader.com Contest. Send entries to alyssa@lakeforestleader. com Entries due at 5 p.m. Aug. 31 and the winner will be announced in the Sept. 6 issue of The Lake Forest Leader.
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