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Preserving a Local Landmark: Jake’s Carpet

A few years ago, colleagues Christine Kromko and Douglas Smith wanted to ensure they could keep working the jobs they loved.  So the longtime employees of Jake’s Carpet purchased the Hamlin landmark.  For them, the decision was simple “Jake’s is family owned and operated and always has been.  This is where we live, where we work, where we raise our families,” says Kromko.  But finding funding wasn’t as easy.  With a 30-year-old tradition of providing highly personalized customer service to homeowners, Kromko and Smith knew if they wanted to continue Jake’s legacy, they would need financial assistance.

After being referred by Ron Sebastianelli, vice president and commercial loan officer of Honesdale National Bank, Kromko and Smith turned to MetroAction for financing options and help writing their business plan.

“HNB wanted to develop a partnership with Christine and Doug- something we could grow a relationship on, and we saw that opportunity in MetroAction’s loan programs.   I was happy to learn that they were able to assist Jake’s Carpet, a longstanding fixture in the Hamlin community,” says Sebastianelli.

MetroAction tailored a loan for Kromko and Smith that suited their needs much in the same way the entrepreneurs work with their customers to make a house a home.  Their $20,000 loan was used for working capital and to purchase new computer software.  “MetroAction believed in us as much as we believe in ourselves,” adds Kromko.

And the community is taking notice too. Jake’s was recently named 2010 Poconos’ Choice leader in carpet and flooring.

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