Lorraine Early, Amy Frazier, president and CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, and Solon and Sonja Betts pose for a photo before cutting the ribbon to Early’s Carpet latest expansion on Friday morning.
Early’s Carpet in Amissville unveiled their latest $1.5 million expansion at an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony Friday.
Visitors filed through the warehouse and garage, toured new and existing facilities, and they watched demonstrations of the store’s new centrifuge machine. After the rug is beaten, treated, scrubbed and rinsed, the new machine spins out remaining water and dirt, speeding up the cleaning and drying process.
Amy Frazier, president and CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, of which Early’s Carpet is a member, kicked off the ribbon-cutting ceremony and thanked the 57-year-old business for their longtime contribution to the local economy. She then introduced Early’s co-owner Lorraine Early, who expressed her gratitude for the support of her family and the communities the business serves.
Surrounded by friends, family, neighbors and staff, Lorraine Early thanked the community for their support over the last 57 years.
“I am blessed for being here 57 years. I’m grateful to the Lord, and give credit for our success to my family and the relationship and workmanship we have with our employees. No one can do it alone” Early said. “I am deeply honored and grateful to my daughter Sonja and son-in-law Solon for their huge investment into this edition and new equipment and the decision to carry forward what John and I started in October 1966.”
Jason Seamon hangs a rug to finish drying after it has been run through the centrifuge machine.
Solon Betts shows off the inside of the Early’s Carpet cleaning vans in the new garage space.
Jason Seamon (left) and Derek Lobe load Early’s Carpet’s new centrifuge machine, which quickens the rug cleaning and drying process.
Guests browse rugs in the Early’s Carpet warehouse, where the Amissville business hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting celebrating their newest addition on Friday.
More about Early’s and their expansion:
Ireland Hayes is a reporter for Foothills Forum, an independent, community-supported nonprofit tackling the need for in-depth research and reporting on Rappahannock County issues. Find out more about Foothills here.
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