Leicester Carpet Sales

Mission Statement
To be the leader in our industry through our heritage of hard work, honesty, integrity and the belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Leicester Carpet Sales currently owns and operates two floor covering stores in Western North Carolina on Leicester Highway and Long Shoals Road. In addition to our floor covering stores, we are also currently developing real estate projects in the area. Today, under the leadership of Lynne Dorsey and Brad Snelson, our company is growing at a record pace. However, we do come from humble beginnings and would like to share that story with you.

THE HISTORY OF LEICESTER CARPET SALES

Leicester Carpet Sales is truly a home-grown success story, starting in a basement 36 years ago and growing to become the largest floor covering store in Western North Carolina.

J.B. Snelson founded the business at his Leicester home in 1970, storing carpet in his basement which he then sold and installed.

“Our only capital was $1,000 and a truck, but we had hope,” said Snelson, whose wife Alma soon joined him in the business.

The Snelsons worked long hours to grow their fledgling business, moving it to larger quarters along Leicester Highway in 1976. Seven years later they moved into an even larger building along the same highway.

In 1997 the Snelsons' children, Brad and Lynne, took over management of the business and steered it through a period of even more rapid growth.

“That was the best thing I ever did,” the elder Snelson said. “Brad and Lynne have taken it to the next level.”

Leicester Carpet Sales started a television advertising campaign in 1998 that has made the company WNC's most trusted name in floor covering.

Children of the owners, employees and friends are featured in the TV ads to emphasize Leicester Carpet Sales' commitment to traditional values like home and family.

In 2000 the company moved to its largest space yet – a 22,000-square-foot building at 119 New Leicester Highway. And in 2001 it opened a second store on Long Shoals Road in the fast-growing south Buncombe area.

Over the years the Snelsons have always used the business to give back to the community, helping people rebound from disasters such as fire and flood and donating to community organizations. Last year, for instance, the company built a new deck for Hearts with Hands and made a sizable donation for the nonprofit's office renovations.

Company president Brad Snelson has seen a lot of changes in the flooring industry since he grew up helping his parents in the business. But he says the same formula that has made the business grow throughout its history still works today.

“We just treat people right, do what we say we'll do and back up everything we sell,” he said.