If you look down at the floor in Athabascan buildings, you have likely seen his handiwork.
Now, after 38 years, an era in flooring is ending for the region, with the Athabasca Floor Centre Ltd. shutting its doors forever as of Aug. 14.
Owner and operator Jim Prymak first opened up the business located at 4809 50 Street in Athabasca back in 1981. Pyramid said what he will miss most about the business is the customers.
“I had lots of good people come through here over the years, and I really enjoyed serving the community,” Prymak said. “It’s been a good business for the family.”
But now, he said after all this time his back just can’t take it anymore.
“If you can’t carry the flooring inside the house, you really can’t install it,” Prymak said. “And plus, my daughter works at the hospital now and will not be taking over the business.”
He said he first started as a construction worker 50 years ago, and then branched into flooring.
“From there, I just stayed with it,” Prymak said. “I originally worked 10 years in Edmonton before opening the business in Athabasca.”
Prymak said he has lots of memories over the years with the Athabasca Floor Centre.
“It was like my second home,” he said. “I would imagine that my customers will now head over to Westlock or Edmonton for floor instalments, as this was the only place in town to offer this type of service. But you just can not do the job forever.”
He said the building is now for sale, but nobody has shown an interest in purchasing the property.
“Once the building shuts down, I will be doing some work out of my home,” Prymak said. “I will be sticking with blinds. It does not take a lot of packing to maintain. Anyone who still wants to have their blinds installed can still give me a call.”
