ARTISAN RUG RESTORATION FORMED
TO SERVICE RUG RETAILERS

NEW YORK -- Artisan Rug Restoration Co. has been formed here by four veteran Oriental rug experts. The company specializes in providing turnkey repair and restoration services to rug retailers in North America.

Partners in the new venture are David Basalely and Solomon Bassalely of Eliko Antique & Decorative Rugs in New York and Steve Boodakian and Sy Mahfuz, principals of  MERA Consulting, Nashua, NH. 

Boodakian and Mahfuz are also third-generation rug retailers. All four partners have extensive repair, restoration and appraisal expertise.

“We know from experience that a good rug dealer can develop an excellent repair and restoration revenue stream, but only with access to the right people and facilities. Artisan provides that access,” according to Boodakian.

While minor repairs may be accomplished in the US, Artisan’s facility in Konya, Turkey, the company explained. The Turkish plant employs several dozen  weavers to provide major restoration services, including re-weaving, repair of rot and moth damage, replacing selvage and fringes, re-napping and other difficult repairs.

“By going where the weavers are, we get far better quality of work, and pricing that makes it very profitable for dealers to engage our services without their customers having to suffer sticker shock,”  Boodakian said.

In addition to repair and restoration, Artisan will also provide appraisals, cleaning and services provided for dealers only, including re-sizing, stripping, chemical washing, fading and shearing. The company will also consult with dealers to help them develop their repair and restoration business.

The company is headquartered on Madison Avenue in New York City, with additional facilities in Nashua, NH, and Konya, Turkey.

11.9.09