Strickland’s Window Coverings has big plans for 2016.

After 74 years at its original location in northern New Hanover County, the company has purchased the Williams Carpet & Rug Gallery property at 5422 Oleander Drive and plans to move to the new locale in late spring, according to Strickland’s owner Fred Kumpel.

Kumpel declined to disclose the purchase price, and said he dealt directly with Williams Carpet & Rug Gallery owner Patricia Williams in negotiating the transaction. The carpet company is consolidating its operations at its Castle Hayne facility, Kumpel said.

Along with the move, Strickland’s is also rebranding, bringing both of its divisions under the Strickland’s umbrella, according to a news release. The Carolina Closet Company division will rebrand as Strickland’s Closets and Home Organization, and the window coverings division will be called Strickland’s Blinds, Shades, and Shutters.

Strickland’s virtual presence has also shifted with new websites at StricklandsBlinds.com and StricklandsClosets.com. 

Moving from the intersection of 23rd Street and Castle Hayne Road to Oleander Drive will achieve several objectives for Strickland’s, Kumpel said. One is increased visibility.

“There are a lot of new faces in Wilmington,” he said. “I felt that [Oleander] corridor, which is one of the highest-traveled in the county, was an opportunity for people to see [the store] and get word out to people that are new.”

Another objective is securing space that will allow both divisions to grow. The new building has approximately 8,000 square feet of space, of which Strickland's will occupy about 4,600, according to Kumpel.

“In the new building, the closet and home organization business will have its own separate showroom to expand its visibility and displays,” Kumpel said.

“We are taking the majority of the building, but there will be a section for new tenants,” he said, adding that a garage organization systems company will move in later this year, as will Star
Sosa’s Spectrum Gallery. While the gallery will relocate to 5422 Oleander Drive, Sosa will maintain her jewelry store at its existing location in The Forum.

Kumpel said he has secured the permits required for Strickland’s to move ahead with renovations to the Oleander property as early as next week.

Strickland’s was founded in 1942 by James Strickland as Strickland Venetian Blind Works. Kumpel,  an employee, purchased the business in 2008. As owner, he has revived the company’s window coverings repair center, expanded the company’s commercial and specialty markets, and added the Carolina Closet Company division, the release stated.