New Cove Flooring Owners Honor Their Building's Past

Cordell and Cara Ebersole didn't just buy a carpet store, they bought a piece of Martinsburg history.

The Ebersoles opened Cove Flooring and Design in May after purchasing the business and its historic building at 200 S. Market Street from Chuck Shriver.

While the flooring business is tailor-made for Cordell, a general contractor, and Cara, an interior designer, the added bonus of operating in a building that has been a Martinsburg landmark for more than 100 years adds not only a sense of pride, but also comes with the obligation to treat the structure with the respect a building of its stature deserves, and that is just what the Ebersoles intend to do.

The building originally housed Hershberger Chevrolet and over the years also hosted Valley Rural Electric, Bowman's Stores, and a carpet and flooring store run by Shriver.

Cordell said when Shriver decided to sell, it was important to him that the building continue to house a business instead of becoming vacant or being used for storage.

Cordell said he and Shriver had often spoken about him buying the building, and when the time came, he knew it was the right fit.

"The building has so much history attached to it and we wanted to make sure that continued." Cordell said. "And keeping it a carpet business was a natural fit for us."

Cordell said the Hershberger name holds a special place in Martinsburg history and as a way to honor that, he refurbished the original "Hershberger's Garage" lettering on the side of the building.

"The imprint was still in the brick, so we were able to repaint it to its original form." Cordell said.

While the building itself adds a historic element to the Ebersoles' business, both say it is what they offer inside that is most important.

Cara runs the day-to-day operations and as an interior designer, she said she offers more than just simply helping a customer pick out flooring.

"I want to make sure everyone gets exactly what they want, so I spend the time with them," she said. "I look at pictures of their homes and help them pick out the right fit."

Cordell, who has been a general contractor for 26 years, said every customer gets something from them that they can't get at the big box stores: Individual attention.

It's the attention to detail." Cordell said. "Whenever people are paying good money for something, they expect your full attention, and we give that."

Cara agreed, saying that dealing with a knowledgeable business ensures that customers get what they want.

"You are getting knowledge here and somebody who actually cares about your project," she said.

Cara said doing business in the Cove is a blessing because the community supports its own.

"People in the Cove are so easy to work with," she said. "It is a nice location, and the community is wonderful."

Cordell said Martinsburg has lost some historic buildings to the wrecking ball and was determined not to let that happen to the Hershberger building. He said he has heard from members of the Hershberger family and some older-generation residents and they have told him how happy they are that he and Cara are honoring the building's past.

Knowing the history of the building, it's pretty unique." Cordell said. "Martinsburg is an old town, there is a lot of history here. I wanted to preserve that. I have gotten a lot of compliments from some of the older generation saying they remember coming here as a kid."

By purchasing the business and building from Shriver, Cordell said they get to continue two significant traditions.

"We will continue the tradition not only of the building, but of the high standards of the flooring business that has been set," he said.