Published December 2000

Hatloes: Four generations
of change, service

By Kimberly Hilden
Herald Business Journal Assistant Editor

Ask Arlan Hatloe what it takes to keep a business going, and he answers without hesitation.

“Change is so critical in the successful continuance of our business,” the owner of Hatloes Carpet One Decorating Center said. “I can’t put enough emphasis on not only looking at change, but being willing to change.”

For 61 years, that philosophy has seen the family business through relocations, name changes and a changing marketplace. It has enabled the Everett-based flooring and paint company to grow its product line, its retail space and its employee roster. And now, with the fourth generation of Hatloes active in the day-to-day operations, that willingness to change shows no sign of stopping.

“They’ve brought in some new, innovative ideas, and I’ve always wanted to be willing to make changes,” Hatloe said about his two sons, Steve and Jim, who are involved in the business along with Arlan’s wife, Barbara.

For instance, Steve worked to establish Hatloes’ Web site, www.hatloes.com.

“We definitely need to have a presence on there as a Web site so people are drawn to know our history and know who we are, our business philosophy, the products that we offer and the services that we offer,” said Hatloe, whose grandfather A.C., and father, Dale, opened Hatloe & Son on the corner of Hewitt and Oakes in 1939.

Back then, A.C. painted businesses and homes while Dale managed the company, Hatloe said. The store carried paint, wallpaper, mirrors, paint sundries and some rental equipment.

The business moved to a building on Hoyt Avenue in 1945 after the landlord doubled the rent at the original location and more space was needed. While at the Hoyt location, the Hatloes added more employees, delivery service and products such as tile, linoleum and carpeting.

“In the 1960s, business was quite good; however, the downtown was changing,” said Hatloe, who joined the operation on a full-time basis in 1960. “The malls ... were starting to draw a lot of customers away from the downtown areas. Some of the bigger department stores were leaving, and parking was a big problem for our business.”

So, in the late ’60s, the Hatloes began looking for a new location.

“In 1970, we purchased land in our current location here at 37th and Rucker,” Hatloe said. In 1973, the business moved from the 6,000-square-foot Hoyt building to a new 12,000-square-foot building that still houses the decorating center today.

“Again, as part of the expansion, we added more employees, and we added more products,” said Hatloe, who has owned the business with his wife since 1975. “We added window coverings, a drapery manufacturing facility and other items such as ceramic tile (and) hardwood.”

In the mid-1990s, consolidation in the carpet industry spurred Hatloes to buy into the Carpet One co-op.

“For years, small companies could operate on their own just doing their own thing,” Hatloe said. “About five, six years ago, it became very evident that that wasn’t going to continue after all the consolidation, so I looked seriously at the co-op.”

Carpet One, with more than 900 members, gives Hatloes tremendous buying power, Hatloe said, not to mention marketing power and the ability to provide customers first-rate financing options.

“That’s where we can compete with the big boys,” said Hatloe, who as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce has focused his energies on helping small businesses grow.

While Hatloes has evolved to meet the demands of the market, the business has remained steadfast in its belief that quality and honesty never go out of style, Hatloe said.

“Honesty and believability, I think, are real important from a consumer standpoint,” he said. “For a customer, if they’re really looking for true value, they’re looking for more than just a cheap price. A cheap price disappears real quick when something doesn’t perform or you have a problem and there’s no way to resolve it.”

“We’ve been here for 61 years, and we want to be here for a lot longer,” Hatloe said. “The way to do that is to treat people fairly, give them a fair price and provide great service.”

Back to the top/December 2000 Main Menu