By Holly Heller Enquirer Editor
    BREMEN — Barry and Pam Troxel have opened Barry’s Floor Center to fill a void in Bremen — a place to buy carpet and other flooring.
    “Location was one of the reasons that we decided to start a carpet store in Bremen,” Barry Troxel said. “Since Design Works went out of business, Bremen and the surrounding area really had only a few choices for experienced carpet and other related floor sales. Growing up in Bremen, it was a natural choice to locate a store in an area where I knew the people well.”

The store opened earlier this summer at 1734 W. Plymouth St. (Suite C) in the Mint City Shopping Plaza.
    “We offer floor coverings of all types,” Troxel said. “From carpet in all different colors and style to wood flooring to ceramic tile and vinyl flooring. I feel like we have a good selection.”
    In addition to their wide selection, the Troxels are proud of the customer service they provide.
    “Customer service is what we are hoping to offer our customers. More than you would ever receive at any of the big box stores,” Troxel said.
    He has plenty of experience in the carpet industry, having worked as an installer for 15 years and then several more years installing carpet as a subcontractor for different businesses.
    “That is one of the reasons that I decided to go into retail, because of my experience and knowledge of the flooring industry,” he said.
    The Troxels reside in Nappanee with their two children. Courtney, 16, is a junior at NorthWood High School and Aaron, 13, is an eighth grader at NorthWood Middle School. While they live in Nappanee, they have Bremen roots.
    “My wife and I are both Bremen graduates. My mother-in-law, Diane Shupert, has been a Bremen resident for 36 years. She runs the store for me during the day and is my book keeper.”
    Also helping out part-time at the store is Nora Menzie.    
     Barry’s Floor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 574-546-3800.