AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THEINDIANAPOLISSTAR 2ND SUNDAY,NOVEMBER 1, 2009 Y17
Profiles of businesses that have been around 50 yearsormore indystar.com/50years
Economy P lumbing S upply innovated self-supply aisle
By Ashley Petry ForCustom Publications
When Economy Time line
Plumbing Supply
1932: HerbertE.Strong Sr.foundsopened its doors
Economy P lumbing S upply at 311 N.
Alabama St. along with his brothers,in 1932, it faced
William S trong and Edward Strong.numerous challenges
1939: Economy Plumbing Supply
opens its first consumer showroom.—including the
1946: HerbertStrong Jr. joinsstaggeringfinancial
the company after graduating from
Purdue University and completing apressures of the Great
tour in t he U.S. N avy.Depression.
1983: John Strong joins the
company a fter graduating fromBut the companyweathered that
Indiana University.storm, andmanyot hers, to become
1984: The company relocatesIndianapolis’ premier kitchen and
to 625 N. Capitol Ave., abath supplier.Itwas oneofthe
60,000-square-foot facility thatfirst plumbing supplycompanies
consolidates the counter,showroom,
ykin the nationtoopen aconsumer warehouse and offices.
Lebrshowroom, serving the needs of both 1995: AHomeStyle showroom
plumbing professionals and do-it- Marc opens in Fishers a t9755 Hague
yourself homeowners. Road.Photo:
Today, thecompany runs two Economy Plumbing Supply’sCaptiol Avenue location features one of its two HomeStyle showrooms. 2006: The company completes
major renovations of both its
downtown and Fishers HomeStyle
showrooms.HomeStyle showrooms,one in business. But at itsheart, the added parking and warehousing
downtown Indianapolis and one companyremains afamilyaffair. space.Quick facts
near Fishers. Redesigned in 2006, Strongisthe third-generationowner Finally,in1984, the company
the showrooms featurethe l atest of the business, w hichwas founded relocated to its current dow ntown most innovativeki tchen and bathEconomy Plumbing
in kitchen and bath design and by HerbertE.StrongSr. in 1932 location, 625 N. Capitol Ave.The manufacturers and designers.Supply
technologyfrom m anufacturers such and later owned b yJohn’sfather, remodeled 60,000-square-footIndianapolis HomeStyle showroom:
The secret to successas Villeroy &Bochand Toto. HerbertStrongJr .Inaddition, John’s facilitybrought allofthe company’s625 N. Capitol Ave.
“Kitchens and baths havereally wifeand sister b oth workfor the operations under oneroof,including After morethan 7 5years, thePhone: (317) 264-2240
become the focal point of ahome— company. warehousing,offices, the plumbing Strongfamilymembers aresmall-Fishers HomeStyle showroom:
both from alifestyle perspective and “We’re asmall, f amily-oriented and repair parts counter,and the business experts. But running a9755 Hague Road
from adesign perspective,”said J ohn business, and that’show we tryto consumer showroom . business, theysa y, ultimatelyisPhone: (317) 841-6444
Strong, owner and president.“Our treat our customers,” Strongsaid. The newfacility also featured self- about the old-fashioned values ofFounded: 1932
showrooms havetr ied to address serve aisles of p lumbing supplies, a customer service and employeeOwner/president: John Strong
An evolving businessWebsite: www.homestyleindy.com those changes.” retailing innovationthat landed the satisfaction.
In addition, Econ omyPlumbing Economy Plumbing Supplyalways companyonthe coverofthe trade “It’sall about t aking care of you rInfo: Economy Plumbing Supply
is aone-stop plumbing shop Supplyoffers sessions with trained has been in the S trongfamily, but magazine SupplyHouse Times. customers and taking care of your
for consumers and plumbing design consultantswho canhelp other things have changed.The The magazine featured Economy staff,” Strongsa id.
professionals. Its two HomeStyle homeowners choose the best options companywas founded at 311 N. Plumbing Supplyagain in 1995 As Economy Plumbing Supply
showrooms in downtown Indianapolis for kitchen and b ath projects. And , Alabama St., Indianapolis, where when it opened a 10,000-square-foot approaches its centennial, it will
and Fishers feature the latest in
the companystill carries afullra nge it opened oneof the nation’sfirst suburban showroom near Fishers. continue to changeits product mixdesign and technologyfor kitchen
and bath, and the company also of professional-grade plumbing consumer showroom sin1939. Originally called Economy Kitchen and showroomdesigns to meet the
carries plumbing supplies and repair supplies, from water heaters to pipe The companycontinued to grow &Bath, the Fishers showroomlater changing needs of consumers and
parts. Featured m anufacturers and fittings. and expand, and e ventually the office was renamed HomeStyle. plumbing professionals. But some
designers include Villeroy &Boch, With twoshowroom sand more was bursting at t he seams. By 1975, Both showrooms were heavily things —like the value of customer
Dornbracht and Toto.
than 25 employees,Economy Economy Plumbing Supplyoccupied renovated in 2006,and they relationships —are destined to stay
Plumbing Supplyisathriving 305-311 N. Alabama St.and had continue to featurethe best and the same.●
A n I n d i a n a p oli s T r a d i t i on
77 Y e a rs a n d S t i ll G o i n g S trong
O u ror i g ina llo cat i o n , e s t .19 32 O u rsh o w room t o d a y
p l u m b ing s u pplie s a n d t ool s • w a t e r h e a t e rs a n d c o n d i t i o n e rs • f a u c e t s f or t h e kit c h e n a n d bat h •
s inks a n d l a v a t ori e s • tub s a n d s h o w e rs • t o ile t s a n d b i det s • kit c h e n a n d bat h cabine t r y
• specializing in hard-to-find repair parts •
Servingdesigners,contractors,buildersanddo-it-yourselfers
-Visitourshowroomtoday-
D o w n t o w n N ort h
625 N . C a p i t o l A v e n u e 9 7 55 H a g u e R o a d
3 17- 264 - 224 0 3 17- 841 - 6 444
www. E PSH o m e . c o m
64
7
5555
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