By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels
He’s worked at Malooly’s Flooring Company for five years, but Sales Manager Chris Todd grew up playing on the carpets and hiding in the rugs. He’s the fourth generation working with the family business, which started in 1907 in El Paso.
Located at the corner of Valley Drive and Picacho at in Las Cruces, Malooly’s Flooring Company is in the heart of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) road reconstruction of Valley Drive. The construction has slowed foot traffic coming into the store, but Todd says Malooly’s copes by bringing the store to the customer: meeting people in their homes and bringing samples of tile, wood, laminate, area rugs, carpet and even natural stone.
“When we speak to customers on the phone and get an idea of what they’re looking for, Malooly’s can bring out a whole slew of different options that they will not only see, but also feel exactly in the place that they’re thinking about installing it. Customers can skip the traffic congestion for now, have a chance to see our inventory, and get a free estimate in the comfort of their homes.”
Todd explained that with more than one hundred years of experience driving the Malooly’s reputation, the store is most appreciative of generations of loyal customers, property managers and construction project managers who continue to shop the extensive inventory even while the dust is stirred up by the construction.
“Especially if people need items in bulk, we can always work out prices,” he said. “With so much time in the business, we’ve seen a lot of different scenarios and figured out problems for our clients, even if it’s how to survive ongoing road reconstruction.”
NMDOT requests that while it might be tempting to zip across the parking lots of Malooly’s and Tractor Supply Company on Valley Drive – remember, customers may be in the lot, pulling in and out of spaces. Fender benders due to fast traffic through parking lots will cost more drivers more than they would save by speeding through.
If there are any questions or concerns about access to any of the Valley Drive businesses, drivers are reminded not to move barrels which can impede traffic flow and cause dangerous situations. Instead, contact project manager Ryan Tafoya at (575) 525-7313.
The City of Las Cruces encourages residents to continue to support local Valley Drive businesses, and work with our local Chambers of Commerce in their efforts to provide support. For the most up-to-date information please visit www.valleydrive.net.
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PHOTO 1: Sales Manager Chris Todd greets customers in the Malooly’s store, or will meet with them at their home, bringing samples of tile, wood, laminate, area rugs, carpet and natural stone. That’s so customers don’t have to make their way through the road reconstruction congestion to get to the store. (Photo by Cassie McClure)