On July 15, Brecan Interiors held their grand opening at their new location at 13 Kutenai Road in Fernie.
“I definitely feel like we can fill a niche,” said sales associate Darla Saunders. “Home renovations can be overwhelming for people because there are a lot of choices, so we just like to be able to assist in that process and in the end they’ll have the room, home or product that they love.”
Brecan is a one-stop shop for home interior needs and includes products for bathrooms, kitchens, countertops, cabinets, flooring and exterior windows and doors.
They have access to a host of suppliers including brands like Kohler, Delta, Moen and Aquabrass. They offer tiles from DalTile, StoneTile, and EuroTile and boast many leading cabinet brands including Merit Kitchens, Kekuli Bay and Cascade Crest cabinets.
As part of the grand opening, Brecan gave away a fridge range and combination microwave that retails for $2,050. Contestants entered to win the products at Ann’s Independent Grocery where the products were on display. Fernie resident Linda John won the prize.
Brecan Interiors owner John Merritt said the space will eventually feature four show rooms: one for the kitchen and bathroom, one for paints and tools, one for flooring and tiles and one for exterior windows and doors.
Merritt has a business background and holds an MBA. He has worked in the financial industry and as a project manager for Cisco Systems but when he came to Canada from the U.K. with his family a few years ago, he began designing houses.
He’s since designed over 50 through Linwood Custom Homes and other businesses.
“I liked the model but I wanted to do something a bit more local,” he said. “The idea was to provide the flooring, finishing and cabinetry in one shop so that people could get everything they need in a house.”
Merritt commended his experienced floor staff - Saunders, Joe Gatt and Jessica Hikida for their knowledge and experience.
“You need staff that are dedicated and understand the products,” he said. “It’s not the big box store model, you need to know your stuff.”