What is the Charles Luck Stone Center?
The Charles Luck Stone Center is an entirely new concept in the way stone is marketed, bought and sold. It is a place where anyone in the market for stone, whether an architect, interior designer, landscape designer, contractor or individual homeowner, can come for inspiration, exploration and discovery. With literally hundreds of stone samples on display, the Charles Luck Stone Center is a place where a customer’s vision for his project takes shape and finds clarity. The new Charles Luck Stone Center is part stone design center, part stone library and part stone laboratory – this Studio component is supported by a Contractor Yard for Charles Luck’s contractors and partners and a Workshop where raw product is shaped.
What’s different about the Charles Luck Stone Center?
The concept for the new Charles Luck Stone Center grew out of qualitative research undertaken by Luck Stone’s Architectural Stone Division, and specifically, feedback from customers who were seeking a more one-to-one customer experience. As a result, the new Stone Center and its associates offer an expanded array of services and products, making for an entirely unique shopping experience. Each Stone Center has at least two areas – a Studio (where hundreds of stone samples are on display and where specially trained stone experts work with customers to help them identify and explore the varied possibilities for their project) and a Contractor Yard (where the specialty needs of building contractors are tended to). All Stone Centers are supported by a Workshop (where stone is skillfully crafted from raw product). The Charles Luck Stone Center was designed to give customers not only a one-of-a-kind shopping experience but the chance to mine their imaginations for a truly special-end result.
What’s the rationale behind this new way of selling stone?
Luck Stone’s Architectural Stone Division – the precursor of the new Charles Luck Stone Center – conducted considerable research into how customers shop for stone and the ways this shopping experience can be improved. Customers consistently put a premium on customer service, with an emphasis on a broad cross-section of distinctive product and knowledgeable and attentive customer representatives. And so the new Charles Luck Stone Center was designed in such a way as to meet those various needs. Lastly, the new Center has been designed in a way that truly showcases the aesthetic qualities of stone – qualities that should be celebrated.
Where will the Stone Centers be located, and when will they open?
A total of six new Charles Luck Stone Centers are planned in the following markets within the next three to four years: Richmond, Sterling and Charlottesville, Va.; Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; and Columbia, Md. Currently, all of these locations are open for business, but they each will be undergoing renovations at various times to be completely re-branded as a Charles Luck Stone Center.
What’s behind the new name, Charles Luck Stone Center?
Luck Stone realized that it needed to provide clarity for its customers and the marketplace.
The new name honors its legacy and its customers and associates who are proud of and loyal to the Luck name.
What’s the focus of the Charles Luck Stone Center?
We’re focused on four critical components – the “four Ps:” people, places, products and process. It starts with our people, our associates. They are among the most skilled and knowledgeable in the industry and have been specially trained to deliver personalized, distinctive service to our customers. The second focus is on our places, the Stone Centers have been designed to provide inspiration, resources and products. Next, our products, three lines of fine stone – from the common or everyday stone to stone found only in the far reaches of the globe. And lastly, our process, the unique customer experience that is at once seamless, efficient and inspirational. This focus is in considerable contrast to the former emphasis on the contractor and standard product offerings.
What do you mean by "purveyors of fine stone?"
We literally go to the ends of the earth to find the broadest array of stone products for our customers. We regularly travel to South America, Europe and Asia to unearth stones that are native to those parts of the world. Here at home, we acquire a wide cross-section of stone throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as other states, as the need arises. “Purveyors” is meant to connote the appreciation and professionalism we bring to the business of acquiring stone, and of course, by “fine stone,” we mean stone of the highest quality.
What are the different product lines offered by Charles Luck Stone Center?
The Charles Luck Stone Center offers three different product lines. The Foundation Line is comprised of stones that are readily abundant and usually available right away. They are perhaps the most versatile and popular stones. The Signature Line includes more exotic stones, often with unique finishes, that are often exclusively available through the Stone Center. Then there is the Legacy Line, which is exceptional stone products that are rare or historical and often sourced on a custom basis.
Will all the Charles Luck Stone Centers look alike?
For the most part, all of the Charles Luck Stone Centers will resemble one another in terms of design and layout in a campus-like setting. Each of them will have a Studio and Contractor Yard onsite and will be an inviting place for inspiration and exploration. (Each location will be supported by one of two Workshops, one located in Richmond, Va., and another in Leesburg, Va.) The Stone Centers will be constructed with various kinds of stones, with different stones used for the exterior, entryway, conference room, bathrooms and so on. While the Stone Centers largely will resemble one another, there will be subtle differences among them – just as every stone has its own qualities.
Will the construction of these beautiful Stone Centers mean that customers will be paying more for their stones?
Pricing at the Charles Luck Stone Centers will reflect the same competitive pricing as has been the company’s trademark for generations.
There seems to be a great deal of passion surrounding this launch of the new Charles Luck Stone Centers.
Passion is the right word for it. We have a passion for this industry, and as we like to say, we’re in the business of celebrating stone. Our associates are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry and are passionate about sharing their expertise and some of the stories of various stones with their customers. Mostly, we’re passionate about seeing that our customers have an unforgettable experience.