BENDER has offered decorative plumbing, kitchen and bath cabinetry, lighting, tile and stone since 1946. What’s your secret?
Nina Bender: We listen to how the industry is changing and how we can stay ahead of the curve. Consumers can see just how competitive we are. We encourage consumers to do their research online, and they will see that loving their local stores can be a good thing for them as well.
Which vendors do you carry?
NB: Our parts counters and warehouses are mainly for contractors. A lot of those products, like Goodman and Daikin heating and cooling systems, can only be purchased by licensed professionals. Our showrooms are open to the public and the trade. We carry trusted brands like Kohler and Moen as well as unique brands with handmade items from America, Italy and beyond. These brands include California Faucets, Franz Viegener, Gessi, THG, Waterstone, KWC and Franke.
What services do you offer?
NB: We guide customers through the design and product selection process with a purposeful design in mind. We supply the products and can work with contractors to make sure everything works within the constraints of a project. If a customer isn’t already working with a designer, many of our salespeople are trained designers and are happy to help.
Tell us about the new showroom.
NB: We have 10,000 square feet of decorative plumbing and whole home indoor and outdoor lighting, tile and stone. It’s like an art gallery! Customers can expect a welcoming, tailored luxury experience that is carried all the way until the product is delivered.
What makes BENDER unique?
NB: The bathroom is the first place you visit in the morning and the last place before you go to bed; the kitchen is the hub of your home, and the light fixtures make it so you can see it all. Shouldn’t all of that be curated and designed with you in mind? We have the products and the people to make it happen.
235 Westport Avenue, Norwalk; 203-847-3865; benderplumbing.com