Flooring outlet opens in former grocery site

YORKVILLE - A new flooring store has opened in the former home of Safari Market in Countryside Shopping Center.

National Flooring Liquidators carries a number of carpet, tile and laminate products.

Store manager Chris Enochs said the store features product overstocks and special purchases in decidedly "no-frills" environment.

"It's all still good quality flooring at value pricing," Enochs said.

The store features rolls and rolls of carpeting, area rugs and hard-surface flooring spread out in the cavernous location which once housed the family owned Safari Market.

Safari closed its doors this spring after 30 years in business at Countryside Center at Routes 34 and 47.

Enochs said the flooring store has not put a lot of money into showroom décor, choosing to keep the overhead down and pass the savings on to the customer.

Most of the sales will be on a cash and carry basis, and installation is available only on carpet for now, Enochs said.

National Flooring Liquidators is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The store is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Enoch's business card notes that the shop is closed during his lunch hour ("gotta eat") from 1-2 p.m. each day.

National Flooring Liquidators is the latest in a number of businesses to locate in Countryside Center.

Harold Oliver, whose company, HRM Properties, purchased Countryside Center last year, said the store is a welcome addition and adds to a variety of businesses in the center.

"We've had several businesses opening in the past several months," Oliver said. "Yorkville is a hot market for business right now."

Among other recent additions include Gold Star Academy of Dance, A.C.E Photography, C/L Design-Build and a martial arts studio.

The new store opens at a time when the city is exploring some possible funding options for improvements at Countryside Center.

The city ealier this year approved a study that would explore the possibility of a tax-increment-financing district for infrastructure improvements at the shopping center. The city is still awaiting results of that study.

In a TIF district, property taxes are frozen in the area when the TIF is implemented. Incremental increases in property taxes brought about by new development are funneled back into the area to pay for improvements, such as projects, roadwork and utilities. Many officials have said the center's design - with nearly all of the entrances facing internal courtyards - has made marketing the property for retail stores difficult.

Most newer, competing retail centers feature businesses facing out, toward parking areas, for greater store visibility. National Flooring Liquidators faces the south side parking area of the center and has a large blue and white banner on the outside to add to its visibility.