Benny's part of newly renovated plaza

When you walk into Benny's Floor Coverings the first thing you notice is a huge tile mural on the back wall.

The scene depicted is a vineyard in what appears to be Tuscany. It is a lovely reflection of the quality of work done by the company.

Benny's Floor Coverings opened in 1998 in Cloverdale just north of I-70. In July 2006 they moved to a new location in Greencastle at Putnam Plaza.

"It was kind of like starting over and a lot harder than I thought it would be," said owner Ben Bruce. "Last year we broke the million dollar mark so it turned out well."

Bruce decided to open his own business after spending years as union ceramic tile setter in Indianapolis.

"I was running crews and doing everything it took to run their business. I thought I could make money running my own," said Bruce.

Benny's Floor Coverings handles a lot of commercial customers as well as residential ones.

The business offers vinyl, ceramic, hardwood, laminate, carpet, natural stone, stone carpet and resinous floorings.

Depending on the day they may have any number of employees. On the day the Banner Graphic visited the store, 14 people were working on five jobs.

According to Bruce, the company does a lot of business with schools. They recently completed a stone carpet at Eminence High School that features the schools mascot in the center.

"It turned out really nice. We're proud of the way it looks," said Bruce.

The success of the company is due partly to the growth in Greencastle over the last several years says Bruce.

"It's also because we try to represent quality products. Not necessarily less expensive but good quality. When we do an install the price we give you is the price you pay no matter what we have to do," said Bruce.

He believes there are three rules to success.

"The rules are number one: Take care of the customer,; number two: Take care of the customer ; and number three: Take care of the customer," he said.

Bruce grew up in Belle Union and graduated from South Putnam High School. He lives with his family in Eminence. He and his wife Trisha have two sons, 23-year-old Tyler and 13 year-old Clayton.

Among Benny's many commercial customers are companies like Ace Rent-A-Car, Wal-Mart, T.J. Maxx, Indiana University, Methodist Hospital, Purdue University, Union Hospital, Ball State University, Peyton Manning, Rose Hulman, Old National Bank, the Indianapolis Colts Complex and Clay Terrace.

"We try to make sure our customers are happy. There are some customers who can make you pull your hair out, but we do everything we can to make them happy," said Bruce.

The storeowner is also very pleased with the improvements made by the new owners of Putnam Plaza.

"They have done a really nice job in renovating the look and filling all the vacant spaces. We are getting a lot more residential business just because more people are coming to the strip," he said.

Benny's Floor Coverings is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. They are located at 17 Putnam Plaza, Greencastle. For information about their products call 653-7300.