Nature Stone^® Looking to Grow

By BRANDON GLENN

9:00 am, August 11, 2005

Nature Stone^® Inc., currently operating only in Ohio and Pennsylvania, is looking to expand across the country by launching franchise stores.

The Bedford-based company, which provides outdoor and indoor floors made with a blend of stone and epoxy, already has franchise agreements in Youngstown and Lorain, according to a company statement.

“We are fielding inquiries from all over the country that have come through our website unsolicited,” said founder Russ Masetta. “We’re offering franchise territories that are exclusive so franchise owners are not competing against one another.”

Company officials plan to hold training seminars for franchisees, where they teach how to prepare, install and maintain the floors, as well as provide advice on sales and marketing.

Nature Stone operates stores in Bedford, Lorain, Sandusky and seven other Ohio and Pennsylvania cities.