At 7:30 a.m. one recent morning, I was speaking on the phone with Leslie Dronet Mencacci, co-owner of Dronet’s Floor Gallery & Pure Stoneworks in Erath, who had been at work since 6 a.m. – which is the norm for her. “It’s a quiet time to start working on estimates and bids,” she points out. More than that, it’s part of a work ethic that has placed this family business, also co-owned by nephew Anthony Dronet and sister-in-law Dana, at the forefront of floor, kitchen and bath renovations.
The Erath store was opened in 1982 by Leslie’s brother Jody and his wife Dana Dronet. The Youngsville location is also part of the family’s business.) You might say the business was just waiting for the siblings to start it, given the family history. Their father owned a furniture/appliance/floor store and a department store in Erath.
In an average week, Leslie’s job involves meeting with clients, measuring floors and countertops in homes, lining up installation jobs and meeting with installers, who have worked with her for over 10 years – some over 20.
Their reputation for quality flooring and installation has gained Dronet’s commercial work as well, including a recent project installing 8,000 square feet of flooring at one business.
Soon to be in the market for new floors myself, I asked what’s trending these days, and she shares, “We install a good bit of ceramic flash porcelain floors, luxury vinyl planks and luxury vinyl tile; carpet is making a comeback, particularly cut pile and those with patterns.”
But Dronet’s is much more than flooring. Since 1990, they have been a Benjamin Moore paint dealer. In 2008, they added the solid surface department, Pure Stoneworks, run by Anthony, selling and installing granite and quartz countertops. Always tracking design trends, Leslie notes, “We’re seeing more creamy tones – some greys, but mostly lighter tones – with some veining in the stone, but not a lot. Designers are also leaning towards tile backsplashes to coordinate with countertops.”
Custom baths are a growing business for Dronet’s, converting tubs to beautiful, more user-friendly showers with tile walls and mosaic floors, or solid surfaces like quartz or granite. “When a customer walks in wanting to redo their bathroom, we spend a lot of time explaining the process so they understand the time frame, which is usually five to seven days, including the demolition of a tub,” says Leslie.
The customer experience begins with a store visit to discuss their needs and look at product choices. Afterwards, Leslie says, “I go to the home and help them understand what’s going to take place, step by step, and make sure that what we pick out in the store is right for them or fits in the space – which sometimes isn’t the case. That’s why we take a lot of time explaining and showing products.”
No matter the project, Dronet’s will work with any size budget, from a fireplace hearth or small bathroom to a kitchen renovation or flooring for an entire home.
It’s a busy time in this industry right now, as Leslie explains, “Once school starts, there is a lull, and then a month later people start looking at making renovations or upgrades before the holidays or painting their homes. Fall is a good time to paint because the humidity is low.”
Word of quality service and reliable follow-through gets around, bringing customers from Iberia, Vermilion, Lafayette and as far as St. Landry and St. Mary parishes.
“People coming in from all around are spending money here, and the tax dollars are staying in our town,” says Leslie, an Erath native. And, in a city that has experienced more than its share of floods and hurricanes, she says “We’re glad to have been a part of helping local families refurbish their homes.”
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