Ruggs Benedict

Mandy Benedict grew up with the scent of seaming tape and the sound of her father’s work boots on unfinished floors. Her father, Roger Benedict, built Ruggs Benedict from the ground up, often trading family dinners at home for meals shared on his job site. For over 50 years, the company has been a premier flooring provider in the Vail Valley.

Founded in 1972 by Roger Benedict and his two brothers, Ruggs Benedict started small, installing hardwood, carpet and tile from the confines of their garage. In 1988, they moved to a permanent location and growth took off.

Today, the business operates a 12,000-square-foot showroom in Avon, employs over 70 people and carries thousands of products. A well-stocked Gypsum warehouse with hundreds of products in backstock ensures quick installations. But size alone isn’t what keeps customers coming back: it’s the heart behind it.

THE DREAM TEAM

When Roger Benedict asked if Mandy Benedict wanted to buy the business, she didn’t hesitate; she declined. “I didn’t think I had the brilliance to do it,” she admits. At the time, she was immersed in training through Inner Matrix Systems. That training eventually gave her the skills to manage stress and fully commit to the business. Roger Benedict, meanwhile, was busy assembling the dream team to carry the business forward.

That team solidified in 2014, when long-time employees Gigi Zimmerman and Alfonso Aragon joined Mandy and Roger Benedict in ownership. Aragon, who has been with the company for over 30 years, oversees estimating and installation with a relentless commitment to quality, timeliness and exceptional service. Zimmerman brings her meticulous organization skills to operations and administration, ensuring all moving parts stay in sync. Roger Benedict, now 73, stays behind the scenes, introducing new technology and streamlining systems.

Together, the four owners form the backbone of the company’s success. Since expanding ownership to this quartet, Ruggs Benedict has grown by more than 500%. The numbers tell one story. The people tell the rest.

WHERE CULTURE MEETS CRAFTSMANSHIP

At Ruggs Benedict, a strong team starts with a strong culture. “Most people are hired through word of mouth,” says Mandy Benedict. “And we hire people who really care and are good at their craft.” That care shows up in everyday interactions; staff members celebrate each other’s wins, rally around challenges and respect each other.

For customers, that means working with flooring designers who don’t just sell products, but create exceptional experiences. They work closely with customers to find the perfect fit for flooring, balancing style, budget and material for long-lasting satisfaction.

FLOORS FOR THE MOUNTAINS

The selection in the sprawling showroom is as broad as the mountain views outside their windows, with everything from budget-friendly flooring for high-traffic rental units to high-end custom wood floors sourced from around the world.

Their partnership with Carpet One, the nation’s largest flooring provider, brings serious buying power to the table. That translates to competitive prices you might expect from a big-box store, paired with the kind of personal service and deep product knowledge you can only get from a local expert.

In the mountains, expertise matters. The dry climate, dramatic temperature shifts and high altitude can be harsh on floors. Knowing which materials can handle the elements — and how to install them for performance — makes all the difference. “People know they can count on us,” says Mandy Benedict.

Area rugs are no exception. With more than 1,200 styles in stock, there’s something for every taste and budget. And when the perfect size doesn’t exist? Their in-house rug fabricator can create a custom rug made to suit your space.

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

As Mandy Benedict grew into the business, she also grew into herself. “I discovered I had a huge passion for people,” she says. “I loved working on the floor and helping make people’s dreams come true.”

These days, she’s more often at her desk than on the sales floor, but she’s still cheering on as others find their stride. She’s watched employees buy their first homes, send kids to college and succeed in ways that ripple far beyond the showroom. She’s read the hundreds of five-star reviews from customers and heard countless “thank yous” from nonprofits the company supports.

“The Vail Valley is where I was born and raised,” Mandy Benedict says. “This community has given so much to me and the people that I love.” Last year alone, Ruggs Benedict donated more than $100,000 to local nonprofits.

Floors are the foundation of a home — the surfaces where you live, work and make memories. For Ruggs Benedict, it’s something more. It’s decades of craftsmanship, deep-rooted relationships built board by board and a commitment to the community under their feet. In the Vail Valley, Ruggs Benedict isn’t just covering floors — they’re helping people stand on solid ground.