It was twenty years ago today!

[tilerite]

In 1987, after eight years of working with my father in his bagel sandwich/Italian ice shop on South Street in Philadelphia, I aimlessly bounced from job to job and finally landed a warehouse job at “Tile Designs”, a ceramic and porcelain tile distributer in Bristol, PA.

At the same time, my girlfriend and I purchased our first home and after moving in, immediately found out she was pregnant. It was a 20-30 year old row home in NE Philly that desperately needed a new bathroom and my wife insisted it be finished before the baby was born.

After being told by more than one contractor at the tile shop, to do it myself, I decided to put my carpentry skills (my dad was a carpenter before opening his shop) to use, and rebuilt the bathroom myself, using my wife’s cousin George to do the plumbing (he is now a big shot in the plumbing union in Philly).

Well, what a rush it was to see the beauty of my tile work. I hired a contractor to grout for me, but the tile work was near perfect. I told my wife; this is what I want to do. Not knowing where to begin, I went to see my buddy Frank, who was the manager of a local “Color Tile” store. I used to deliver goods to him and we used to jokingly mock the owners of “Tile Designs”, who had fired me a few days earlier.

I asked him how to start my business and he said; get some business cards and bring them to me. First thing was coming up with a name for the business. “Tile Rite” was the very first thing I thought of. It seemed like every other business in that part of the world had the name “Rite” at the end of it. I gave me friend the cards and he began referring me, not having a clue if I was actually going to be able to handle the work.

On Nov. 30th, 1987, my wife went into labor and around 4am on Dec. 1st, my first daughter Natalie was born at Lower Bucks hospital, in Bristol. I drove home in the darkness and caught a few winks before getting up and driving to my first job, 30 minutes away in Philadelphia.

I remember the job being an 8-10 sq. ft. backsplash in an older Philly row home, for a kindly old lady. I also remember the tile being Wenczel 4x4 white (anyone remember the Wenczel tile company in Trenton??). I believe I made $40.00 for the job.

When I was finished, I drove back to the hospital to see my newborn daughter. It was quite a day and one that totally turned my life around. Frank at Color Tile went out on a limb; giving as many as my cards out as possible and I did my best to not let his trust in me down. The jobs began to trickle in and the small backsplashes and entry ways turned into large kitchens and bath remodels.

Frank eventually took a job at Continental Tile, also in Philly and I followed him and became a good customer. Soon after, he died from lung cancer, defiantly chain smoking and laughing, right up till the end. Hopefully, we all have a Frank in our lives, someone who puts their unconditional trust in us. If so, don’t ever let that person down.

Why am I telling this story now? Tomorrow (Dec.1st) marks 20 years to the day that my daughter and my tile business were born.

Happy birthday Natalie. Happy birthday Tile Rite. :aparty2:

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[Brian in San Diego]

Rick,

Happy Birthday to your daughter and to your company! Congratulations and I am glad to hear you still remember and praise Frank's trust. I'm sure he was proud of you.

Brian

[mark11755]

Rick;

I love your story. Thanks for the great start to my day.

[tilerite]

Thanks Brian and Mark. I'm currently shopping the story around Hollywood, but so far, no bites :(

[ceramictec]

wow, all those names that your said I heard of and remember.
I was just over the bridge in NJ but worked all over in Philly also.
besides hearing those names....
yes I do remember Wentzel Tile.
I actually tiled my Parents bathroom walls with it in Almond glaze!! haha

Happy Birthday to her and Conrats to you.

[Mountain Tile]

Rick, loved that story, I grew up in the Bristol area ( Bristol Twp., Edgley) I"ve been in the Lower Bucks hospital, and I used to have a row home in NE philly ( Morrel Park ) to be exact. And I used to pick up tile orders for my old boss at Continental Tile, nice people. Tommorrow is a special day for me as well, It"s my 17th wedding anniversary. Time goes by quick huh. Why did you change your avatar? you giving up on the birds already :yeah: Wasnt Color Tile on Bristol Pike at Street Rd.?

[kate42]

Rick :wave:

A very nice story. :clap2: :clap2: Happy Birthday Natalie and Happy Anniversary to you. :)

[tilerite]

Chuck
Morrel Park, eh? Some crazy kids lived in that neighborhood. I grew up in the Rhawnhurst part of Philly, but my wife and I bought our first house, very close to Morrel Park, in Parkwood Manor, another neighborhood overrun by crazy kids. Our second house was in Croydon and then it was off to Phoenix for 8 fun years before moving back east to NC.

Continental was a good store. Do you remember Chuck Grbelny? He sold me my first wet saw back in 1988. He eventually left Continental and opened his own store at Oxford Circle. I think its called; Tilerama. Color Tile was on Street Rd., about a little bit north of Rte. 13 (Bristol Pike)

Hey man, I'm a Flyers fan before I'm an Eagles fan. Guess I have kind of given up on them, though they played great in New England last week. I'm tired of Andy Reid. We need a change.

Anyway man, happy anniversary and many more. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

[tilerite]

Thanks Kathleen! I'm thankful of two things; I can still walk and my kids still love me.

[flatfloor]

Happy Birthday Natalie!
Great story Rick. :tup2:

[tilerite]

Thanks Jim. The cake is yummy, but I could really use something to wash it down.

[tilerite]

Hey Brian
Thanks for remembering Wenzcel. I was beginning to think I was losing my mind. Btw, my spelling is correct.

[kate42]

Rick :wave:

but I could really use something to wash it down.

Will this do? http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/xother_beer1.gif (http://www.millan.net)

Or maybe? http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/winesmiley.gif (http://www.millan.net)

:D

[Saldibs]

Nice Story, Wasn't Wenzcel tile one that was 4 3/8"x 4 3/8" instead of the usual 4 1/4". I may be mistaken. That and midstate tile also was 4 3/8"

[tilerite]

Thanks Kate, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp!! Sorry.

Sal, Wasn't all 4x4 tile originally 4 3/8th?

[Saldibs]

I installed a lot of that crap years ago and most of the 4" tiles where 4 1/4. There were a bunch of manufacturers around. The only tile that is 4 3/8" now is the one that Florida Tile makes. I used to carry sample boards with me to match the colors with existing tile jobs when they needed repair, there were quite a few manufacturers at the time. But then again it is exceedingly seldom that I use that tile these days so I might just remember it wrong.

[Mountain Tile]

Rick, did a couple of jobs in Parkwood manor, how bout the crown deli? hard to get good hoagies since I moved away. I lived in Croyden acres for a few years also. Used to go to Tile rama in Oxford circle often, Chuck and Judy a lot of people go there for tile, nice folks.
The Phlyers look pretty good, I agree about andy Reid, I think he should take Donovan with him too.
Thanks

[tilerite]

Chuck
I don't remember the Crown Deli but I do remember a pizza place that did a tremendous business. I want to say it was called Pats, but I'm not 100% sure. Maybe the Crown was in the same shopping center. Academy Road, I think.
We lived at 2900 Secane Dr, just around the corner from the shopping Center. Then we lived on Loiuse Ave. in Croydon Acres. I don't recall who made the best hoagies put the best cheesesteaks, hands down was and still is, a place called Chinks on Torresdale Ave. in Tacony.
Pats, Genos and Jims get all the attention but they are merely tourist traps. The small neighborhood shops had the best hoagies and steaks, like Chinks and Delesandros in Roxborough. God, I'm getting hungry!
Yeah man, Chuck and Judy. Very cool folks. I went to school with their daughter, Denise and used to really like her. She was a babe. Last time I talked to Chuck, she wasn't doing so well. Thats what she gets for shooting me down.
They also had a son who was a few years older than me. My older buddies played football with him at NE High. Small world, Chuck.

[tilerite]

Yeah Sal, those days are a bit of a blur to me too. After Wenczel went out of business, I started using all of the other 4x4's like Mid-State, US Tile, Dal , Florida, etc. Wenczel was my first though.

[Davy]

Rick, Happy Birthday to your daughter and your company. :tup2:

[tilerite]

Thank you, Davy

[tileman2000]

Happy Birthday to your daughter and your steady company.

Thinking I was too young for the Wenzcel,but I do remember tearing a lot of it out.

Thanks for the hoagie tip.Next time i'm in Pa. i'll swing by Chinks or Delesandros.

Congrats Rick.

[Lazarus]

Oh yeah, I remember Wentzcel Tile. Sold a boatload of it in the late 70's. Your story kinda mirrors mine in regard to Color Tile. I was just gettin' out of the "Bidness" of selling cars & trucks. My (then) father-in-law was a Manager of a Color Tile store in Manassas, Virginia. He says, "C'mon aboard, son. You can be a Manager in 18 months. Well, I "humped" lots O' tile and learned a fair amount. Then, I noticed that the tile mechanics that came in were paying with $100 bills....and I figgured I was in the wrong end of this trade.

Started laying tile....CT said I couldn't lay it and sell it too.....sooooo, Adios!

Worked with a third generation marble mason, eventually went out on my own and haven't looked back since.

Yeah, it's tough to make a GOOD living in SE Texas.....too many "Tile Guys" from south of the border that work for $1.75 a foot............but I sell myself and am making a living. Virginia was sweet! ($4.50-$5.00 a foot...labor only) Still, I love what I do.


Oh, By the Way......HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[tilerite]

Thanks Mike
Laz, as long as you're happy, thats all that matters.
Have a great night, all!!

[Lazarus]

Ohhhh...."My Kingdom" for a decent steak & cheese hogie!

[kate42]

Have a great night, all!!

You too, Rick. http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/nitenite.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[HS345]

Great story Rick. :dance:

Happy birthday Natalie. Happy birthday Tile Rite!!!

:aparty: :aparty: :aparty: :aparty: :aparty: :aparty:

[Mountain Tile]

Rick, I lived on Dolores Lane, in Croydon Acres, yeah, small world. Pizza City was the place at Acadamy Plaza,next to it was the Buy-Rite Deli, both had really good cheassteaks :yummy: Crown deli was on Morrell ave next to the Morrell Tavern. Best Hoagies, hands down is Greenmans on Grant ave near continental tile. Whenever we go down to visit family we load up on soft pretzels too.
I worked for Bernie Doettger whose father was partners with Holtzowler tile in the 1930"s we did a lot of 4 1/4 tile on fresh mud, a lot of it. The boss would stock pallets of it from Dal in Bensalem. Never heard of Wenzcel, but I prolly tore some out and didnt even know it. I'll bet it seemed like yesterday your daughter was in diapers, my oldest is 16 and I dont know where the time went :gerg:

[PrecisionFlooring]

Great story Rick, made my night :tup1: Congrats on 20 years in the biz and may you have many, many more.

[tilerite]

Hey Greg, thanks!!

Chuck
Dolores Lane ?? Thats a friggin trip! We were almost neighbors. My wife grew up at the corner of Cedar and Magnolia. I do remember Pizza City. I also remember Greenmans. You could great pretzels from the vendors on Roosevelt Blvd, but the best ones I remember were from the Federal Pretzal Bakery in South Philly. My dad owned a bagel sandwich/water ice store on South St. and we used to get our pretzels from Federal. Nowadays, you can get great pretzels from Wawa.
I do not recognize the names. When I lived in Croydon, it was the early days of my business. Ok Chuck, a quick tile trivia question. Besides Continental, I also had a supplier nearby in Andalusia. Can you give me their name?

[tilerite]

Hey Paul, thanks. I appreciate all of the nice responses.

[Mountain Tile]

Rick,
When I lived in Croyden I was a kid, maybe I'm just a tad younger then you ( I"m 43 ) I didnt get into tile untill I was 31. I know of one tile suppier in Adalusia, that would be Tile Gallerry. They were the best pretzels, I like the ones at 7/11 but I was on street rd. last month and they have the pretzel factory outlets.

[tilerite]

Chuck
I'm not aware of the pretzel factory outlets on Street Rd. Of course, Street Rd is so overrun by strip malls, it would be easy to miss them. I was very friendly with Kevin at Tile Gallery. They were good people. I believe they are still there. They also had a store in NJ.
Yeah man, I'm a bit older than you. I was born in "61". We moved to Croydon in "91" and then left for Phoenix in "94". I was so glad to get away from Croydon and the whole Philly area, though I love going back there to visit family and cruise to the beaches in NJ.
Don't forget to check out Chinks Steaks next time you're in the area. There is nothing like it.

[Mountain Tile]

Yeah Rick, Kevin is a good guy, he"s my old bosses cousin, is that the distributor you were thinking of? The pretzel outlets are spankin new. Except for the good grub, I dont miss the Philly area at all, nice here in the mountains of PA. I'll bet N.C. is nice too. I will have to try chinks next time I"m down that way.

[tilerite]

Yeah Chuck, I was referring to Tile Gallery. I did some business with them in the late 80's though mostly I purchased my products from Continental.
NC is beautiful, especially if you like the mountains. Highest peaks on the east coast are two hours from where I live. Cost of living is reasonable here too. We've been quite pleased since moving here in 2002.

[tileguytodd]

Youve come a long ways since your first days of System 200 and 770 Mastic eh Rick ;)

And your Buddy who helped you get started??

Whats he doing now after losing almost all of his retirement funds in the big Color tile Fiasco that left thousands of Employees questioning How an Oil Rich Saudi Business owner could scrap a company and take employee invested funds with him!!!

A very good freind of mine (in fact he was Best man when I was married) Was the Regional Manager in The Twin Cites,MN/Wisconsin/Iowa/Omaha Nebraska region.
He took a Near 6 figure Hit!!!

To those who wonder how all this ended up, After years in court, The Parent company (owned by the Rich Saudi) Was ordered to pay 20 cents on the dollar plus court costs!!!...........hmmmmmmm & the RICH get RICHER on the backs of the working class !!!

[tilerite]

Unfortunately Todd, my buddy died of lung cancer, not many years after taking the job at Continental Tile. I'll always remember what he did for me. Yeah, I may have tiled a shower or two in mastic, gulp! There, I admitted it. Color Tile was hugely mismanaged. There are actually still a few individually owned stores left.

[tilerite]

So, here we are one year later. Today my kid and my business celebrate 21 years. :neesie:

[ceramictec]

It was twenty years ago today,
Rick at Tilerite taught the band to tile
They've been going in and out of style
But they're guaranteed to raise a smile
So may I introduce to you
The act you've known for all these years
Tilerite's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
We're Tilerite's Lonely Hearts Club Band
We hope you will enjoy the show



:lol1:

[cx]

Well, that's somethin' worth celebratin' amongst all this holiday foolishness. Congratulations. :)

[kate42]

holiday foolishness

The holiday foolishness brings me the fondest of memories of the togetherness of my family. When we were "grown up", had our own families, it was the one time of the year when we all got together at my parents home. There was so much laughter. Oh how I miss those days.http://www.moppo.net/mextra/holidays/christmas/fireplace2.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[irish tileguy in michigan]

Congrats Rick.

[tilerite]

Thanks guys!! :) Brian, what can I say? Don't give up your day job. :lol1: