Aspen / Colorado / United States
The Isberian family has been in the rug trade for over 100 years. This lifelong passion spans five generations and is why we can truly say that we are Colorados rug experts. From our one-of-a-kind custom projects to our master repair and restoration service, we are experts in the art of rugs. Located in the heart of down town Aspen and Basalt, our family has been closely connected throughout the Roaring Fork Valley community for many years. Visit the All Aspen website for more information on Aspen Lodging, Aspen Real Estate and a variety of events and activities throughout the area. Stephan G. Isberian, owner of Isberian Rug Co. Inc was born in Chicago, Ill in 1944. His parents, Manoog and Araxi Isberian, immigrated to the United States during World War I. They fled Turkey, as survivors of the Armenian genocide of 1915, carrying with them the hopes and dreams shared by thousands of other immigrant families. Stephans father and mother both originated from prominent rug weaving families in Anatolia, Sivas and Kayseri, and it was only natural that these traditions be carried with them and passed on to future generations. This family operation dates back to 1898 in Chicago and is now in its 5th generation of continuous operation. The sales and service, i.e. cleaning, repair, restoration, etc. of antique, semi-antique and contemporary oriental rugs, Navajo weavings and tapestries have been the focus of the family business for over 100 years. Stephans days in the rug trade began in the early years of his childhood. Each day after school, he and his brother would go to work at their parents store, cleaning and repairing rugs. It was expected of them to learn the rug trade as well as to contribute to the family business, and it was during this time that he was taught the founding principals, which would lead to his future success. Today, Stephan attributes learning the most valuable lesson of his entrepreneurship to his growing up in the family owned and operated business: always be your own boss, lead, do not follow. However, as Stephan grew out of his childhood there developed an internal conflict within him. Although he held tremendous pride in his heritage and the legacy of the family business, he also desired to be an American teenager who went to school dances on dates or hung out with his friends after school to play sports. Stephan began traveling overseas in 1964 buying rugs and carpets throughout the Middle East and central Asia. From 1964 to 1977 he made more then 11 overland trips from Europe to Afghanistan taking different routes each time buying and trading in antique carpets. He moved to Aspen Colorado in 1967, and opened his own rug store. The Isberian Rug Co Inc has grown to service the entire western slope of Colorado, eventually developing a clientele base that spans the world. Stephan recalled: "In the early days of Aspen, there were few customers buying rugs for their homes in the Valley. Most rug purchases were for second homes or condos for rental. This, in turn, allowed us to develop out of area clients who purchased rugs for their first home as well. Realizing I couldnt make a living just selling imports, and saw the market shifting towards a demand for wall-to-wall carpet, I opened Stephans Carpets. This company, employing 22 carpet layers, grew to be so successful that we were able to finance other ventures such as an Armenian restaurant in the historic Hotel Jerome in Aspen. It flourished for eight years and eventually boasted a four star rating. The kitchen was personally furnished with spices and ingredients from the Middle East, formed and played two shows a night (belly dancing and oriental band). The service business, rug cleaning and repair, has developed as one of the companys primary advantage. In 1999, Stephan Isberian, and his wife Heather, built their "ultimate rug store, " a second location, in Basalt, Colorado. This building is a 9000 sq. ft, state of the art rug washing facilit
