FORAKER'S was started in
August, 1981
by Phil and Wendi Foraker on a family loan in the same building that the
Iowa City location is in now. They had been in the "vacuum
business" and had hoped for their own business to offer quality
products, quality service, and an honest small business that would
provide for the family. And it did!
It was
always known as a friendly (Ma/Pa) store that grew a great
reputation over the many years of providing great service to the entire
community. Well, as one can imagine, with the right ingredients, the store would
continue to grow. And grow it has.
On August 16, 1997, the current owners
(Paul and Terri Curtis-2nd Generation) purchased the
business on a contract loan.
FORAKER'S is proud to support many
local charities with free or discounted service work, help the schools with
donations and discounts, and give churches and various group discounts
throughout Eastern Iowa.
In December, 1998, FORAKER'S moved
from the center of the "601 Building" to the South End. It gave us an
opportunity to get into a bigger store. We went from 1,200sqft to now
over 2,100sqft. What a difference that move made! But there was more...
Proud member of the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the
VDTA and SDTA
On August 22, 2003, FORAKER'S
opened it's Second Store (4,000sqft) in Hiawatha, Iowa, a suburb of Cedar Rapids. We
chose an area that was very easy access to the interstate and one in a
growing neighborhood. Blairs Ferry Road is one of the main roads thru
Marion, Cedar Rapids, and Hiawatha, so it was chosen and has worked out
very well for us.
The local community
is
desiring a quality vacuum, sewing machine, air purifier, and
central vacuum dealer that has Factory-Trained and Honest service,
Quality Sales, and is technologically
"up-to-date". I think we are getting there; with the
opt-in email and
many great products/companies,
fun classes, and
not to forget: owner-ran! Soon--wireless internet for SEW
fun!
January of 2006, our store went
Internet! We had our
up and
running. That, along with opening the 2nd location proved too much at
the exact same time, so no E-com for now.
February 2006, we have a new email
policy. We want customers getting emails only if they want them,
so we now have an
opt-in email that
you must do to get our email only specials!
Summer 2006,
Foraker's goes to the roots--back to Ma/Pa stores. No employees.
October 2006, we
welcome the Miele Vacuums to Foraker's!
Summer 2007, we
welcome the Simplicity Vacuums, Air Purifiers, Central Vacuums to
Foraker's!
Fall 2007, Iowa
City location gets a face-lift. We went from peg board to slatwall, tore
out the office, moved shop parts, expanded retail floor space by
250sqft. and added 25ft of improperly used wall space. We are adding the
Miele Coffee Systems too!
December 2007,
after much thought, sometimes painstakingly, the decision was made to
close the Hiawatha store. We hope the customers that became our friends
will take to the time to come down the "Ave of the Saints" and visit us.
Link to pictures of the Hiawatha Store
We hope you enjoy our products and services and we
encourage you to
contact us and let us know how we are doing. Thank you in
advance for your time.
