Often, when a customer walks through the door at Carpet & Mattress Place, "they really don't know what type or grade carpet they want or need. That's normal in this field." Soltani says he offers customers information on carpet grade, quality, stain protection and price so they can make informed choices based on their needs and budget.

"For families with children, you want better wearing, better stain protection and a better warranty. Recently I was showing a customer some 'kid-proof' type carpeting he didn't know about, and he went with that. The more durable carpeting, like Berbers, offers great fade, color and stain protection," Soltani says. "Berber is really good for rec rooms and family rooms. Some people want it all through the house, but it's a rougher carpet," he says.

Carpet & Mattress Place has been at the same location, at 9446 Main Street, Fairfax, in the Pickett Shopping Center, for the seven years it's been in business. "That's a good sign, right?" Soltani laughs. Soltani, who has been in the carpet and flooring business for many years, became a partner in the business with his brother-in-law, Hossein Monfared, early this year. "It's been great," Soltani says. The partnership has led to expanded product lines and plans for growth in the near future.

The store's showroom currently showcases its products---including carpeting, vinyl and laminate flooring, wood flooring and mattresses---in a 1,100-plus-square-foot space.

Over the next several months the business plans to expand its space by 50 percent to showcase more of its existing product lines and include some additional products, such as Pergo flooring and area rugs. "Right now we're using part of the building for a warehouse, but we're looking into getting another warehouse nearby so we can expand into that space," Soltani says.

Carpet & Mattress Place currently offers a tremendous variety of carpeting, from budget carpets to "crème de la crème," Soltani says. All carpets feature stain protection from top names such as Stainmaster, Scotchguard, Monsanto Wear Dated II and Allied/Anso Crush-Resistant products.

Carpeting manufacturers showcased at Carpet & Mattress Place include Mohawk, Aladdin, World, Galaxy and Shaw, as well as Karastan and Bigelow commercial lines of carpeting.

"I'm planning to bring in the Gulistan line of carpeting. It's a very luxurious residential carpeting," Soltani says. "If a customer comes in looking for a specific brand that we don't carry, we can usually make arrangements to get it for them."

Area rugs are increasingly popular with customers, and Soltani says Carpet & Mattress Place will be increasing its inventory of these once the expansion is completed.

Carpet & Mattress Place, in the Pickett Shopping Center, near Gaint Food .

Carpeting and rugs aren't all that customers are looking for when they come to the store. "We sell vinyl, hardwood and laminate flooring," Soltani says. He also can order Pergo flooring, a top selling brand.

Popular brands his store carries include Wilsonart and Insignia by Mohawk laminate flooring and Armstrong and Tarkett vinyl flooring.

"We also sell hardwood floors by Robbins, Bruce and Model. People like hardwood floors; they're becoming very popular," Soltani says. "Sometimes they might want to go with a marbled or ceramic look, or a wood look in laminate flooring," he adds. "That kind of flooring is much sturdier than some vinyl products. Laminate floors don't dent, they don't fade, they don't stain."

While some clients purchase hardwood or laminate floors with the thought of adding area rugs on top, "some people with allergy problems want a hard-surface product because it doesn't produce dust."

The store also carries cleaning products for the flooring it sells and its employees are happy to give customers advice on what they need to do to keep their new floors beautiful.

While carpeting and flooring are top sellers at Carpet & Mattress Place, "We've had a lot of mattress customers too," making up about a third of the store's sales. Top brand-name mattresses the store sells include Serta, Bassett and Symbol. "We're also going to add SleepWell in the next few months," Soltani says.

With any mattress purchase over $399, the store offers a free frame, free delivery and free removal of old bedding.

In addition to great service and quality, Carpet & Mattress Place offers its customers frequent sales and easy payment plans to fit nearly any budget. The store's regular policy is no down payment with no interest for six months. "Sometimes on big holidays, like GW's birthday for example, we're going to offer no interest for one year," Soltani says.

Carpet & Mattress Place also has expanded its store hours to make shopping easier for its customers. The store is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

"When you want great quality and really great service," Soltani says, "this is the place to go. We will take care of you."

Carpet & Mattress Place, in the Pickett Shopping Center, 9446 Main St., Fairfax. Call (703) 425-4442 for more information.