"I come from a sporting goods background," said Klassen. "The market was getting saturated, and the new stuff didn't appeal to me. I had a friend [Roy Hughes] who was a granite installer and lives in Cranbrook. He recognized the need for a fabrication shop here. To make a long story short, we thought it was a good idea and started the company." Full article

Vintage Granite, Gilbert, AZ

by Michael Reis, Editor

Established in 2003, Vintage Granite of Gilbert, AZ, moved in a new direction when it invested in a waterjet unit for its facility. Today, the three-man shop utilizes more digital technology than ever, and it processes stone for a broad scope of project types.

Vintage Granite was founded by T.J. Sherwood, who already had a background in the construction trade. Although the company started work with a traditional bridge saw, it made the shift to automated technology a couple of years later. "We were cutting stone with an Achilli bridge saw at first, but now our main piece of equipment is the Omax Fabricator waterjet," Sherwood said. "I've had it for over three years.  I bought it at the 2005 StonExpo Show, and they delivered it in January of 2006." Full article 

Bergeson Tile & Stone, Astoria, OR

by Michael Reis, Editor

Founded by Dave Bergerson as a tile supplier and installer in 1978, Bergerson Tile & Stone of Astoria, OR, has been processing stone for the past 15 years, but it got "serious" about countertop fabrication in July of last year with the purchase of a CNC stoneworking center and advanced software to help the shop run to maximum efficiency. Full article

Fabricator Issue of the Month
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Water/Air treatment and running a "green shop"

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Project Spotlight
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Carlyle & Co. Greensboro, NC

by Michael Reis, Editor

In designing its flagship jewelry store within an historic building in Greensboro, NC, Carlyle & Co. called upon retail architecture specialist Moda4 Design of Dayton, OH. In the end result, the high-end jeweler -- which represents Rolex and other upscale brands -- was outfitted with a facility that not only befits its upscale product line, but is also functional for hosting community events, including a full-service custom granite kitchen/bar area. Full article

Bergen Town Center, Paramus, NJ

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

On November 14, 1957 the Bergen Mall first opened its doors in Paramus, NJ -- a shopping mecca of the New York Tri-State area.  Designed by John Graham of Seattle, WA, who also designed the Space Needle for the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, the mall was considered to be the first of its kind. Its Grand Opening drew nationwide attention, as Dave Garroway, host of The Today Show , served as Master of Ceremonies. But through the years, the mall fell into disrepair and was in desperate need of a makeover, which didn't begin until 2003, when Vornado Realty Trust of New York City purchased the shopping center and began plans to change its format and bring in high-profile stores. In 2006, Vornado changed the mall's name to the Bergen Town Center, and the transformation was finally complete in the spring of 2009 -- with a new floor comprised of a variety of Portuguese limestone, which was quarried by Dimpomar of Vila Vicosa, Portugal, and supplied through Associated Imports of Atlanta, GA. Full article

The Renaissance, Shelton, CT

by Eric Carson, Communicators International
for Laticrete International

Robert D. Scinto, chairman of R.D. Scinto, Inc. in Fairfield County, CT, freely admits that he may have "gotten a little carried away" when he mapped out his plans for the grand entrance to his new 17-story luxury residence development in Shelton, CT.

R.D. Scinto's latest effort, The Renaissance, in the Enterprise Corporate Park in Shelton, opened in 2008 as the landmark building of a mixed-use development with seven commercial buildings located about a 90-minute drive from New York City.

The Renaissance features every amenity available in the modern world, with 10 stories of rental units, six stories of condominiums on the upper levels and a heated rooftop pool on a terrace with a panoramic view of Long Island Sound. Still, it's the gorgeously intricate stone lobby -- installed with Laticrete^® products -- that keeps folks buzzing about The Renaissance. Full article  

Union Bank Building, Los Angeles, CA

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

In designing a new Union Bank facility in Southern California, the architects at Area Architecture of Los Angeles selected Bianco Romano granite from Brazil, which has distinctive patterning and coloration. But despite the material's unique qualities, the consistency of the stone imported for the project allowed for an efficient installation.

The Bianco Romano granite was imported and supplied by Southland Stone USA, Inc. of North Hollywood, CA, and it was used in a cut-to-size format on the building facade, columns and flooring. In all, approximately 5,000 square feet of Bianco Romano was imported for the project. Full article

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Shop How-To
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Private Residence, Colorado  -- "Step-by-step custom lamination"

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Industry Happenings
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StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas preview

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 22 to 24, 2009 (workshops begin on October 21), and it will feature an exhibition of stone and technology as well as an extensive educational and networking program. For more information, click here.

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