Building or renovating a home is a huge investment of time and energy, requiring a mutual relationship between homeowner and contractor, and as a former home builder and remodeler himself, Mike Hyer founded Rocktops with a commitment to customer service. In October, Lee’s Summit residents will be able to experience that commitment firsthand as the company opens its second location.
An Olathe native, Hyer entered the industry in 2009 after the housing market collapsed. He quickly found his interest in granite fabrication turning into a passion. “I love the complexity of our industry and the challenges of taking blocks of rock out of the earth, transforming them into works of art,” he says.
Success came swiftly for the burgeoning business, and Rocktops has helped transform spaces in both homes and businesses. “We’ve installed countertops in thousands of homes across the metro; we’ve worked in large commercial projects like Arrowhead stadium and the Sporting KC complex; we’ve been in celebrity homes and have been featured on TV shows. We work with the best designers, builders and professional remodelers in Kansas City.”
As the business grew, so did the vision. Hyer began dreaming of a second location, and the decision on where to place the new showroom wasn’t taken lightly. “Our Rocktops team researched many communities. Everyone agreed Lee’s Summit was where we belonged: thriving, large city with a small-town feel, a growing community recognized by Fortune in 2023 as one of the Best Places to Live for Families, an award-winning school system, and national accreditations for its public services – we are so excited to be a part of the continued growth!” said Barbie Heniss, VP of Sales and Business Development.
The Lee’s Summit showroom will feature more than 70 styles of full slabs and a beautiful showroom for design appointments. Natural stone options include granite, marble, and quartzite, as well as quartz from Rocktops’ chosen supply partners: MSI, Daltile, Silestone, Cambria, Metro Quartz, and the Symphony Collection by Aurea Stone.
The entrepreneurial spirit is somewhat of a family legacy, as Hyer’s great-great grandfather Charles H. Hyer is credited with inventing the cowboy boot. The son of an immigrant German shoemaker, he arrived in Leavenworth in 1870 and worked building railroads. He then moved to Olathe and got a job teaching shoe and harness making at the Kansas School for the Deaf. With the money he saved, he opened his shoemaking shop. The Hyer Boot Company, described at one time as the largest manufacturer of handmade boots in America, was born. A cousin of Mike's has relaunched Hyer Boot and has plans to make a comeback in that space.
It’s a bit of a family affair at Rocktops too, as Hyer’s daughter is a marketing assistant at the business, his son is a CAD/CAM programmer and his fiancé is an interior designer who helps clients achieve their vision. They, along with 85+ team members, strive to meet the needs of their customers and partner with suppliers to offer an affordable product and service without compromising craftsmanship.
Rocktops’ motto is ‘making homes look incredible is our thing. We design, fabricate and install stone countertops in Kansas City. Our core focus is to create a great experience for our customers, from start to finish. We specialize in residential homes, both remodel and new construction. Our entire team treats every project as if it was for our family, friends, or neighbors. We promise to do what's right, beautifully.’
To learn more about Rocktops, visit their flagship location at 1140 S Enterprise St, Olathe, KS, or explore their website, rocktopskc.com. The Lee’s Summit location will open in October at 2890 NE Independence Avenue.