FREDERICK, MD -- Avanti Marble & Granite Inc. recently broke ground on its new warehouse in the Stanford Business Park located off Route 15 in Frederick. The new facility, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2004, will offer an extensive inventory of the company's natural stone products, including marble, onyx, limestone, travertine and a wide variety of granite from around the world. The showroom is designed to offer education videos and helpful information on stone materials, as well as providing a comfortable atmosphere for choosing and purchasing stone products for residential and commercial projects.

In business for nearly seven years, Avanti has grown from a small local business into a prominent stone distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region, according to the company. Since its inception, the company has grown along with the increased demand for granite as the countertop of choice in today's homes. In addition to growth in the residential market, Avanti has successfully completed more than $4 million in commercial projects, including hotels, embassies, restaurants and office buildings throughout the region, the company reports.

The new facility will stock over 300,000 square feet of stone in more than 200 colors. Owner Bill Werder stated that Avanti continually searches for new and unique colors and innovative products to offer their customers. “Today's consumer demands a greater variety and more choices than ever before,” he said. “Our representatives travel extensively to seek out the latest products and best quality stone on the market today. Beyond having so many practical uses, genuine stone is inherently unique, and its natural beauty has a romantic quality that just can't be duplicated.”