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If you want to find just the right accent for your
home, This N That Kitchen N Bath is the place for you.
First time business owner Robin Escalante opened This N That Kitchen N
Bath in September across from The Falls. Originally, she worked out of
her home, but the clientele grew so she decided to open a furniture
store.
"After Hurricane Andrew I was helping hotels and
restaurants remodel and getting new furniture," Escalante says.
"Before I knew it people were referring me to this person and
that person, and it got too big for me to do in my house. I thought
about opening a furniture store, but my husband told me there were
just too many furniture stores. He told me I had to find a niche if I
wanted it to work. So the next day I had like five people call me to
help them design their kitchens and I thought, I'll do kitchens, that
will be my niche."
Escalante has been married for six years to Cuban-born
Francisco, an attorney. They have two children, five-year old Natasha
who attends Lee Wood Elementary, and one-year old Hunter.
Escalante graduated from Southwest Senior High and
attended Bauder College in Ft. Lauderdale where she received a degree
in art. But art was not her first passion, as she also gained an
associate's degree in social science from Miami-Dade Community College
where she studied dental hygiene.
"I've always wanted to help people, so I thought
it was a good idea," Escalante said with a laugh. "But, then
I realized I really don't like blood, so I decided that I could still
help people but in an artistic way."
This N That Kitchen N Bath offers cabinetry in
traditional hardwoods such as oak, cherry, hickory, maple and pine.
There are solid surface countertops, granite, tile, carpet and tile
and hardwood flooring. The store has more than 95 timesaving optional
features such as multi-storage pantries, tambour units, roll out trays
for pans and wine racks.
An authorized dealer for Kohler, American Standard,
Franke and Moen Bathroom Fixtures, Escalante has definitely found her
niche.
"We offer a one-stop shop," she said.
"We are dealers for flooring, marble, carpeting, wood floors and
tiles. I order directly from factories and we have accessories for
kitchens and baths, which is the This N That part."
This N That Kitchen N Bath has five showrooms, featuring two bathrooms
-- nautical and modern design -- and three kitchens -- country,
traditional, unique design. The showrooms exhibit the new door styles
and new colors for Kraft Maid, a dealer for kitchens and bathrooms.
"This was something well needed in the
community," Escalante said. "I love furniture and
decorating, but what I'm doing here is offering something special. We
have one computer designer, Elaine Rosner, who comes in on appointment
basis only. Then there is Michelle Amaya, our in-house designer who
coordinates everything, and Pam Epstein, our design consultant whom I
call the hostess of the mostest. She just makes everyone feel at
home."
Stores hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 am - 5 pm and
Saturday 10 am to 2 pm. This N That Kitchen N Bath showrooms are
located north of The Falls at 8889 S.W. 131st Street. For information
please call 305-251-0959.
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