OTTAWA GRANITE SHOP LEAVES NO STONE UNTURNED WHEN DELIVERING QUALITY MATERIALS AND SERVICE
Ottawa Granite Shop operations manager Omar Jabara points to an exquisite slab of grey-streaked black Brazilian granite on display in his newly renovated showroom on Colonnade Road South. It looks for all the world like a piece of abstract space art, and there are a dozen or more of these polished stone masterpieces still awaiting the visitor’s inspection.
“Our clients see the actual slabs they will be getting for their house,” Jabara said. “After we go out and do a template and measurement, we ask the clients to come back to the shop so that we can map out their slab to get the best effect from the characteristics of the stone when it is cut.”
The sound of diamond-tipped saws biting through stone in the on-site fabrication shop leaves no doubt that these beautiful slabs are destined for other greatness as functional countertops, sinks, fireplace hearths, tables, showers, and even decorative wall-hangings. “We have the best fabricators in the city,” Jabara said. “They are artisans.”
Jabara’s team transformed one exotic, multi-coloured slab of Black Fusion granite from India into eye-catching countertops for the new Tulip Bar and Wine Lounge at the Ottawa Airport. “It’s got very wild characteristics,” he said.
The company sources only the best granites from around the world, and knows which quarries have already been tapped of their best stone. “This is what makes us different,” Jabara said. “We guarantee to our clients that we don’t buy seconds or lower-grade granite. It’s top quality only. Every slab that comes in from a supplier is inspected, and if we find any defects we won’t produce it.”
It’s no wonder the Ottawa Granite Shop has taken the Consumer Choice Award for Business Excellence the last five years running, and maintains a loyal clientele of homeowners and professional contractors. “We pride ourselves on being a custom fabrication shop that specializes in stone,” Jabara said. “People know what the end result will be. Eighty per cent of our retail business is by word of mouth.”
Jabara said the company offers a range of modern fittings and innovative, custom-designed products to fully integrate and protect any stone countertop system. The ‘drain-less sink’ designs are a testament to the artisanal craft of their fabricators. “We offer advanced solutions for people by integrating technology with everyday countertops,” he said.
Jabara said the Ottawa Granite shop is attentive to shifts in the marketplace. “The granite industry is like the fashion industry,” he said. “There is always something new happening. The current fad in Europe is porcelain countertops, so we know that in three to four years it will be in North America. We are testing porcelain in our fabrication shop right now.
“We always know what is coming next,” he added. “Instead of being followers, we work hard to be the stone industry leaders in Ottawa.”
The Ottawa Granite Shop is lo- cated at 207 Colonnade Rd. South. The newly renovated 10,000 sq. ft. showroom is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit online at www.ottawagraniteshop.ca, or call 613-228-2667 for more information on an exciting lineup of stone-inspired ideas.
We pride ourselves on being a custom fabrication shop that specializes in stone. OMAR JABARA, Operations manager, Ottawa Granite Shop