Introducing Perugini Tile & Marble

Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, Emmaus High School Senior

Perugini Tile & Marble
1375 Chestnut St., East Penn Plaza
Phone: 610-898-3820
Fax: 610-898-3842
rocco@peruginitile.com
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Monday and evenings by appointment 
Owner: Rocco Perugini

What you sell? We sell and install ceramic tile and natural stone.

Why did you choose to locate your business in Emmaus? Most of my customers reside in Macungie and Emmaus, and Emmaus is becoming one of the fastest growing communities in the Lehigh Valley. 

How long have you been in business? 21 years

What inspired you to start your business? Ceramic tile and marble have been in my family for generations. I grew up around it and I love the tile business and working with people.

Is there a business you'd like to see highlighted in Biz Bites? Tell us in the comments.

What makes your business different from the competition? The customers get to work directly with the owner. I personally come out to their house to look at the space that needs the tile work. We then work together in the showroom to create custom designs that suit their styles and living space. If a customer needs installation, I have my own installers who do the best quality of work. Also, we carry products that can’t be found anywhere else in the Lehigh Valley.

What is the most rewarding part of your business? The most rewarding part of my business is seeing that 99 percent of our customers are extremely happy, which reflects well on the business! 

What’s the hardest part of your business? The marketing and paperwork is the most time-consuming and it takes away from the creative focus and design aspect of the business. Also, keeping up-to-date on the current trends is becoming more and more difficult because of how evolved technology has become. 

Where do you hope to see your business in the future? I see myself in Emmaus for a long time and possibly opening another showroom in the Bethlehem area in a few years. 

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I’ve ever gotten was to only sell tile that I would put in my own house. When you show the tile that you love, it is easier to sell because you’re selling with your heart. You know that you’re selling quality tile that lasts forever and looks great. That’s the kind of message I want to convey to my customers. 

Any worst advice? Ironically, the same as the best advice! My uncle from Italy told me to “show the best tile,” but in return, this can hurt my business’ reach. If people see the better quality and higher end products, they might think that’s all we carry and it might deter them from even coming into the showroom at all. We have products for everybody. 

What do you do when you aren't working? I love to cook on weekends and spend quality time with my family and friends.

Chrissy Cilento, a senior at Emmaus High School, plans to study journalism in college. She is a periodic contributor to Patch.