Nicolock Opens Design Studios to Bring Paving Stone Showrooms Closer to Home
Family-owned manufacturer launches immersive retail spaces on Long Island to help homeowners plan patios, driveways and outdoor kitchens
Nicolock Paving Stones has opened a series of customer-focused Design Studios designed to help homeowners plan and visualize outdoor living projects, the family-owned company said. The initiative, launched this fall, aims to bring an immersive showroom experience to buyers considering patios, driveways, fire pits and outdoor kitchens.
The company said three Design Studios are currently operating on Long Island in Huntington Station, Seaford and Holbrook, with additional locations planned. Nicolock positions the studios as more than traditional retail outlets: each location includes installed product displays, in-house design staff and a white-glove concierge service to guide customers from initial concept through to purchase and installation.
Nino Nicolia, vice president of Nicolock, said the studios are intended to ‘‘enhance the process, offering a hands-on, personalized experience that ensures our customers are delighted with their choices every step of the way.’’ Company materials emphasize the ability to compare multiple paver styles, wall systems and color blends in realistic settings, and to leave with a tailored materials list and contact information for an authorized Nicolock dealer.
The studios feature expansive installed displays that allow customers to see and touch products in simulated outdoor environments, the company said. In-house representatives provide consultations and design advice, while a concierge service coordinates product selection and dealer introductions. Nicolock also highlights a comprehensive product range that includes paving stones for patios and driveways, retaining walls, grills and other accessories intended for outdoor kitchens and entertaining spaces.
Nicolock traces its history to more than six decades as a manufacturer and retailer of hardscape materials. Roberto Nicolia, the company’s CEO and president, said the firm has invested millions in manufacturing equipment and quality-control technologies, including a proprietary Paver-Shield surface protection and advanced color-blending techniques. The company said its investment in production technology supports product durability and underpins a transferable structural lifetime warranty.
The firm described the Design Studios as a response to shifting consumer preferences toward home-centered leisure, noting that ‘‘staycations’’ and outdoor living projects have risen in prominence. Nicolock said its research indicates customers who visit a showroom are more confident in their purchase decisions; the company presented the studios as a way to reduce uncertainty and streamline project planning.
The company emphasized that the studios are intended to complement, not replace, its network of authorized dealers and installers. After a consultation, customers receive a comprehensive list of recommended products and contacts for certified local dealers to execute installations.
Nicolock said the Design Studios will expand beyond the initial Long Island sites in the near term, though it did not provide a specific rollout schedule. The move highlights a broader trend among building-materials manufacturers to invest in experiential retail environments that allow buyers to interact directly with materials before committing to large home-improvement projects.
Visitors interested in touring a Nicolock Design Studio or beginning a project consultation were directed by the company to contact the nearest studio for appointments and additional information.