After more than 20 years in the business, Jordan Pavlak is still getting an education on the job — and loving it.

“The masonry, the tiling side, hardscaping … it all intrigues me,” he said. “There are mathematical equations, patterns, hands-on experience. It all intrigues me. That has always kept me learning.

“I’ve kind of fallen in love with this business.”

Fittingly, the long-time Blake Tile & Stone employee and his wife Kirsten have purchased the business from the Blake Family, with the change-over effective on Jan. 1.

Pavlak worked as a travel agent for his family at Sunshine Tourism Travel in downtown Sequim before shifting over to another family-run business, Blake Tile & Stone, in 2002.

Since then he’s learned each aspect of the business, from “yard guy” to sales to dispatch and management. He’s been general manager at the business since 2010.

“The best part of this business is the customer service,” Pavlak said. “I enjoy helping people, having that face-to-face interaction, to be able to provide service or a friendly face … [and] that small-town feel.”

Working for the Blake family, he said, made the years so rewarding.

Photos courtesy of Jordan Pavlak/Blake Tile & Stone The showroom at Blake Tile & Stone is at 490 S. Blake Ave. In business since 1953, the company is under new ownership as of Jan. 1.

“The Blake family is awesome; they’ve been so great to work for,” he said. “They’ve provided so much for me and my family, and everyone. That’s kind of why I wanted to continue this business. I want to help provide for [the employees], too.”

Pavlak said he and previous owners have discussed a possible ownership change over the past five years, off and on.

“We kept a good line of communication open [and] when we saw this could be a reality, we just jumped on it.”

Blake Tile & Stone offers hardscape materials for landscaping, masonry materials, tile, and supplies for installing tile. The company also has a tile designer on staff to assist customers with projects.

Pavlak said the business also offers education for contractors.

“We’re always happy to help,” he said.

Pavlak said he hopes regular customers won’t see much of a change under the new ownership.

“My goal is to not really see any other changes,”he said, other than some small improvements and helping employees become more educated on materials they sell.

“It’s a business model that’s worked since in 1953,” he said.

Pavlak’s wife Kirsten leads Sound Community Bank’s lending team on the Olympic Peninsula and will help at the couple’s new business with some bookkeeping, but Pavlak noted that “she’s got a great career at the bank; she’ll help where she’s needed.”

Blake Tile & Stone is at 490 S. Blake Ave. For more about the company, visit blakeinc.net/products or facebook.com/BlakeTileandStone, or call 360-681-2877.

Blake Tile & Stone

New owners Jordan and Kirsten Pavlak

Location: 490 S. Blake Ave.

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays

On the web: blakeinc.net/products, facebook.com/BlakeTileandStone

Phone: 360-681-2877