by Bruce Frankel

With their new expanded showroom, Marble Granite World (MGW) in Kernersville has grown from its humble origins to becoming a premier custom stone fabricator serving the Triad and beyond. Just as every natural stone is one-of-a-kind, this third-generation local business takes great pride in treating each client and each project with a distinctive fresh approach to help create a quality finished project that their customers are proud to display in their home, office or commercial property.

“We provide a lot of attention to detail since craftsmanship is very important to the work we do,” commented Anise Hage, who along with his brother Joël and their father Joe, own the business which Joe founded in Kernersville in 1999. Even back then, Joe saw the potential for growth in the Piedmont Triad area to found Marble Granite World. However, the roots of this third-generation business started decades earlier when Joe and his father opened their first stone fabrication shop in Lebanon.

Marble Granite World’s attention to detail goes beyond quality craftsmanship. Joël Hage explained, “We emphasize communication as a key component of strong customer service. We understand the importance of taking time and having patience throughout the process. We follow up on our promises, deliver what the client expects, and stand behind our product.”

In addition to the owners, Sales Manager Nadine Khazzaka completes the well-organized management team. They all share Lebanese heritage with families that have embraced small businesses focused on customer satisfaction which they are proud to continue in their generation.

“When customers first come in to our showroom, we spend a lot of time educating them,” commented Nadine. “We want to make them more comfortable by understanding all the options that are available to them before they make their decision. Every job is so different, and we take time to teach them about the different materials, the latest techniques and design trends so they are well informed whether they are ready to purchase now or want to start planning for a future project. Our goal is to give them a unique and memorable experience.”

These young professionals have an excellent handle on moving the business forward in the right strategic direction. As a true custom shop, they do not focus on a high-volume assembly line approach. Although the company maintains steady growth, they feel it is crucial to keep a personalized approach and remain directly accessible to all clients with just a phone call. They welcome any size job from small table tops to entire homes and commercial buildings.

Although consumers are learning about home renovation projects from websites and reality TV shows, a lot of this information can be misleading. Knowing this, the staff at MGW — and especially the management team — is very hands-on to help customers design and complete the vision they have in mind. “As customer expectations are continually rising, we strive to stay on top of the industry to find innovative and meaningful solutions,” Anise pointed out.

“We want to make our customers feel like family,” Joël added. “At Marble Granite World, no aspect of the customer experience or process is ever rushed. There is nothing more satisfying to me when I tell someone the name of our company and they reply that they have heard great things about us,” Anise said with a smile. Their high-rated and numerous online customer reviews are a sound testament to their overwhelmingly positive reputation.

Staying on the cutting edge of the industry allows MGW to seek the perfect balance of craftsmanship with automation and technology. Customers appreciate the transparency and interactive process of the experience. Beginning with a free consultation, they discuss the project budget, time frame and any customizations required which then leads to the design stage.

Marble Granite World is one of North Carolina’s leading fabricators of natural stone including but not limited to granite, marble, quartz, travertine, and quartzite. The staff works with customers to pick the right stone type, color, edge type, sink and other details to make the project uniquely theirs.

Before work starts, the company’s templating experts visit the site to create a precise digital template using state-of-the-art laser technology. As with anyone you encounter during the process, these experts are happy to take time to further answer any questions clients may have. After that, a combination of stone craftsmanship and CNC technology will precisely create the custom piece to then be installed by experienced professionals.

As Anise pointed out, “We have an unbelievably great team that truly gives it their all to treat each and every customer with the highest level of quality service. Without them, we would not have a successful operation.”

Anise and Joël have a deep tie to, and respect for, the community. Both grew up here and graduated from NW Guilford. They believe one of the best ways to give back to the community is to have a strong economic impact, and proudly continue to invest in the company founded by their father. Marble Granite World is deeply rooted in Kernersville and has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. The company also works closely with area builder associations, local and national
contractors, interior designers and landscapers to stay abreast of changing market conditions.

As owners, the brothers complement each other perfectly in running the business. Their father Joe is still actively involved and provides the resources and valuable expertise gained from a lifetime of experience. As driven entrepreneurs, they still have not forgotten the value and significance of family. So when they need a break from the business, there is nothing they enjoy more than to “go eat at Mom’s house.”

To learn more about Marble Granite World, visit their stunning showroom at 321 East Bodenhamer Street in Kernersville. The showroom is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:30pm and on Saturdays from 10:00am until 2:00pm. You can also reach them at 336.992.5214 or visit their website at www.MarbleGraniteWorld.com.