Sharian Rugs Marks 80 Years

one of the oldest businesses in Decatur, is celebrating its eighth decade of operation.

The business started in 1931 in a house on Drexel Avenue. In the mid-1940s, the Sharian family constructed an Art Deco buidling at 368 West Ponce de Leon Ave. where the company continues to sell, clean and repair  oriental rugs.

Jim Garner, 30, is the general manager and the fourth generation of the family to work at Sharian. He said the recession has hurt the business, as has the abundance of cheap rugs available on the market.

Still, he's hopeful Sharian will last a long time -- like the rugs they sell.

"The rugs keep coming in the door," he said, "so we hope they keep coming."

Garner gave Patch a tour of the business and allowed photographs to be shot. Charlie Wilson of Big Ring Media provided a brief history of the company, which first appeared in Atlanta Daybook.

By Charlie "Poncho" Wilson

Big Ring Media

Sharian Rugs was founded in 1931 by Bedros and Varthouhi Sharian and Varthouhi's brother Lutfig Geovkalayjian, all of Armenian descent who emigrated to Atlanta in the early 1920s.

Sharian Rugs started in the early part of the Great Depression as the family cleaned the rugs of metro Atlanta's well-to-do in the backyard of Varthouhi's and Bedros Sr.'s home on Drexel Avenue, located about a mile southwest of downtown Decatur.

The elder Sharians eventually brought their son, Bedros Sharian, Jr., into the family business. He led the firm along with his brother, Paul, beginning in the 1950s.

Today, Bedros Jr.'s children, Ruth Sharian Garner, Ritchie and Bedros Sharian III, and Paul Sharian's daughter, Lydia, are involved in the company's day-to-day operation.

But while Paul has retired, Bedros, Jr. still serves as chairman emeritus. He works every day in the showroom and can most often be found walking throughout Sharian Rugs campus supervising general operations and greeting loyal and long-time customers.

The fourth generation of Sharians, starting with Ruth Sharian Garner's son, general manager Jim Garner, and daughter, Sharian Garner, 25, rug sales and service, have steadily climbed the family business ladder. They learned  along the way how to maintain Sharian Rugs' unsurpassed commitment to quality and tradition for excellent customer service.

"As a fourth-generation member of the family I am honored to be a part of a business that's celebrating its 80th year anniversary," said Jim Garner, the only Certified Master Rug Cleaner in Georgia. " I hope to continue offering Decatur and all metro Atlanta residents the same high quality of standards and service that is the foundation of our company."

"The market has changed tremendously from when my mother and grandfather were in my position," said Sharian Garner. "So I have brought in a new and fresh look to our inventory, without sacrificing the quality which our company has stood for all these years.

"We're really excited about the sale and are thankful to all our loyal customers for their support. And we look forward to meeting new customers and friends here this week in downtown Decatur!"

Sharian Rugs has a tent sale through Oct. 8. Call 404-373-2274 for additional  information. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.