Five years ago, a quiet January morning changed everything for Stover’s Flooring & Drapery. What began as a simple text alerting the team to “a fire at the store” quickly became a scene no one could have prepared for. By the time staff reached Clark Lane, smoke was already billowing over the building—a sight that made the scale of the disaster heartbreakingly clear.
Inside, fire crews fought the flames while employees processed the shock. The most emotional moment came when longtime employee Carl rushed out carrying the store cat, Baby. She had been with Stover’s since she wandered in as a kitten, and her loss hit the team and customers deeply.
What followed was months of cleanup, rebuilding, and determination—guided by the belief that a fourth-generation family business was worth fighting for.
In the days immediately after the fire, the challenges felt endless. Smoke had coated nearly every surface, computers were ruined, and years of customer records appeared to be lost. But a single stroke of luck changed everything: the day before the fire, a full QuickBooks backup had been completed. When the damaged hard drive miraculously worked in a home laptop, more than twenty years of history was saved. “If that drive hadn’t worked, we would have been in serious trouble,” the team recalls.
Storage posed another major hurdle. The warehouse had been destroyed, leaving nowhere to put inventory. Thankfully, Stover’s had a smaller secondary warehouse next door—far from ideal, but enough to keep the business operating while the main building was rebuilt. And because this all unfolded during the height of COVID, the team adapted quickly, working from home while phones were rerouted to owner Tom Stover and bookkeeping continued remotely.
Insurance partners, contractors, and vendors played major roles in those early months. Nationwide processed the claim fairly and efficiently, allowing the team to replace inventory, remove smoke-damaged samples, deep-clean every inch of the showroom, and begin the long process of designing a fresh space. Regular customers stayed loyal as well, continuing to place orders even while the store operated under unusual circumstances. Their support helped Stover’s regain momentum one project at a time.
By midsummer, the offices were rebuilt, employees returned to the showroom, and new displays arrived—signaling the true beginning of a comeback. As a fourth-generation family business, quitting was never an option. “The Stover legacy motivated us,” the team says. “We knew we had to rebuild so this company could continue serving Columbia for decades to come.”
Today, business is stronger than ever. Luxury vinyl plank leads in popularity, followed closely by ceramic tile and carpet. Stover’s also offers hardwood, blinds, draperies, countertops, and specialty services such as cleaning and binding area rugs. Customers love the store’s extensive remnant selection as well—high-quality carpet pieces offered at especially low prices.
But the heart of the company remains unchanged: exceptional customer service, honest guidance, and a team that treats every home as if it were their own. The memory of Baby, the beloved store cat, also lives on—her presence still fondly remembered by staff and longtime customers.
As Stover’s marks this five-year milestone, their message to the community is simple: thank you. “We truly appreciate the support we’ve received since the fire. We rebuilt because Columbia believed in us. And we look forward to serving this community for many more years.”
Stover’s Flooring & Drapery
1724 Paris Rd • Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 449-2771