Chandler small businesses 'co-op' to spend less and save more

CHANDLER - Foreclosures and the troubled economy have small businesses that rely on home-building and remodeling looking for answers on how to make ends meet.

Trying to spend less and make more profit.

"It's difficult certainly in the last 2 or 3 years, it's been quite a challenge," said owner of Blind Devotion, Jerry Livingston.

With the housing market down, Livingston was ready to call it quits.

"He was having problems like everybody else in this industry right now because his rent was killing him," said owner of Carpet Broker Design Center, Karl Kramer.

So Kramer and Livingston needed to change their game plan.

"It's time to get creative," Livingston said.

They joined with three other owners and put their businesses under one roof.

Carpet, blinds, rugs, cabinets, everything you would need for your home, all at one design center at Alma School and Warner roadsin Chandler.

"Every kind of flooring is available here any kind of countertop is available," said customer Laura Eisenhart.

The concept has customers like Eisenhart singing its praises.

"One hundred percent convenient," Eisenhart said.

The owners all share rent, salespeople, and marketing expenses. That co-op cuts expenses.

"This makes us very competitive in the market we can compete with anybody," Kramer said.

Kramer and Livingston say it's a plan to succeed, not just survive in today's economy.

"We definitely couldn't have hung on on our own," Livingston said.

They've only been open since April, but so far the concept seems to be working.

"It's just a win, win for everybody all the way around," said Livingston.

Working for owners and customers alike.