The Story of My Business: Italstone Marble and Granite - Upd: Nov, 2004

Italstone in Hood River shines with marble/granite business

By Carolyn Deach & Laura Luger
of the Columbia Gorge Weekly

They must have been talking about Ilias Gjino of Italstone Marble and Granite in Hood River when they coined the expression "No moss grows on a rolling stone." All puns aside, this dynamo of the marble and granite business never rests.

Check in with Gjino every six months or so and you'll find more action, more movement, and without a doubt, more creativity.

Many also know Gjino from his other businesses Gjino's Masonry Supply and Gjino's Alpha Omega. Once those businesses were firmly established, Gjino began the process of becoming the largest and most affordable supplier of quality imported marble and granite in the Northwest.

Opening in May 2003, he had a plan.

"I built a state-of-the-art facility, then invested in cutting edge,computerized equipment and now I'm investing in highly skilled craftsmen," he explains.

He's currently searching for two apprentices to learn the craft of marble and granite fabrication.

Italstone produces the highest quality countertops, floors, showers, vanities, fireplaces and other natural stone products.

"A lot of people have opened marble and granite businesses but can't get the quality stone we do," says Gjino, explaining that most businesses have to do their purchasing through wholesalers purchasing one slab of stone at a time.

"I have an uncle in Italy who owns a quarry and I'm lucky to be a part of it," he adds.

In fact, Gjino purchases containers of marble and granite slabs from all over the world which enables him to offer lower prices to his customers.

Gjino and his eight staff members are now creating stone works of art that make their customers very happy.

Jim and Tahnee Meckoll had Italstone design and install granite countertops and backsplash in their kitchen this spring.

"We had no clue of what we really wanted and they helped us," Tahnee said.

"With the rounded edges and backsplashes--they're very knowledgeable about what they think you might like and presenting it to you. Gjino was so awesome, he would cut a square off of anything that you picked out, buff it out, get it ready for you and send it home with you."

The Meckolls said they were impressed by the entire Italstone crew's professionalism, friendliness and cleanliness. They're very organized and meticulous about their work," said Tahnee. Jim added, "They were always here when they said they were going to be, and the installation was really done when they said it would be."

Showing off the granite work, the Meckolls described how the installers lined up the grain of the granite to run down the center of the countertops. "They did it in two pieces. There's a seam….somewhere," Tahnee said. And, to the Meckolls' surprise, they finished the work in two days.

The Meckolls call the work Italstone did in their home, "just a pleasant experience" and said they would recommend anyone needing this type of work to "Call Gjino."

"He has such a huge selection. If you don't know what you want, he'll give you so many ideas on what you can do, from cheap to expensive."

Kirk and Barb Stein chose Italstone to provide the countertop finish for their recently remodeled kitchen. "He's the one who always wanted the granite," Barb said, pointing to her husband. "Kirk's the cook and the baker in the family so the kitchen countertop was his choice."

The Steins explained they were considering a solid surface type finish, and because the granite was close enough in price, they decided on it. "We wanted to go with a classic look, and their prices are very competitive. We felt like this would be a look that would withstand 20 years," said Barb. "The granite was the icing on the cake. It put the finish to the beautiful cabinets that we have and the flooring."

"It was nice to have it local, so we didn't have to go out of town for it," added Kirk.

The Steins said they were impressed by Italstone's substantial selection, the staff's knowledge of their products and, most of all, the customer service.

"They put the customer first, they treat you so well," Barb explained. "They're very concerned about their end product. They're constantly questioning, throughout the process and even after they installed it."

Barb laughed describing the patience of the installation crew when she took photographs during the production and installation to document the entire project for her scrapbook. "The crew was just a hoot," she said.

According to the Steins, Italstone's service doesn't end with the sale. They told the story of Gjino and his family making the Stein's home one of their stops during the Christmas holiday season to present them with a basket of pasta treats as a thank you for their business.

"Our first meal using our new kitchen was Gjino's spaghetti," said Barb.

"It makes you feel like you're not just another person on the street. You're a friend," said Kirk.

The Steins say when they get to the remodeling of their bathroom, they'll definitely head to Gjino and Italstone. "He does a wonderful job," said Barb. "He stands behind his work," Kirk added.

"It takes a lot of work and patience to produce a quality product," explains Gjino, "and we pay strict attention to details of fabrication."

His goal, he notes, is to produce the highest quality and affordable marble and granite counter tops, slab showers, floors and anything else his business creates.

Dealers all over Oregon and Washington for Italstone, keep the business constantly expanding and that's the way he likes it.

Keep moving and look to the future, improving along the way. That's the way Gjino runs his businesses.

Italstone has sought out and hired highly trained installers, fabrication craftsmen and office staff to ensure the quality of his products for his customers.

"People can come look at the huge inventory of marble and granite slabs," he says. "Customers can actually look at, touch and and pick out the piece that they want. That's a very important thing."

New shipments come regularly giving customers a superior selection of choices.

The response has been overwhelming for this blooming business but with Gjino's hospitable personality and dedication to quality within his business, who's surprised?

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