Vantage Point
Home Is Where the Hearth Is Claxton Fireplace Center By Loretta McCollum
Immediately upon entering the showroom at Claxton Fireplace Center, you want nothing more than to pull up an over-stuffed chair, don a comfy robe, and settle in for the duration in front of one of their more than 20 fireplace displays, many featuring active flames. There’s a style for every taste, from traditional to primitive to contemporary. Perhaps you’re looking for a little backyard bliss? Claxton has you covered. They carry firepits, grills, and smokers. They can also design and install an outdoor fireplace or an outdoor kitchen. Need some shade? The store offers a selection of retractable awnings. Sooty chimney? No problem. They employ the latest technology to ensure that your chimney is functioning properly. In other words, Claxton is everything fire. Dan Claxton has been in the hearth industry since 1986, opening family-owned Claxton Fireplace in 1994. His background is in sales and management, but when he met his future wife, his career path changed. “My fatherin-law was in the insurance business, selling policies on race horses, but he also sold glass fireplace doors at home shows,” Dan explains. “My wife thought I would do insurance, but he convinced me to get into the fireplace business.” Dan’s son, Brandon, is following in his father’s footsteps as a key member of the Claxton staff. Their niche is full-service fireplace production and installation, but a good portion of their business involves remodeling existing fireplaces. “We can give your fireplace an extreme makeover,” says Dan. Converting wood-burning fireplaces to gas is a common choice. For increased efficiency, fireplace inserts are popular. Inserts can be electric, gas-powered, or wood-burning. Some come with fans that reheat the air in your house, decreasing your use of the furnace. Claxton can give your fireplace a fresh look with a refacing. This practice utilizes materials such as ledger panel stone, a natural stone veneer that’s economical and easy to install. Other options are available, and their experienced staff members help customers make the best choice. This business prides itself on providing oldschool customer service while employing modernday procedures. For new installations or renovations, customers receive an in-home project evaluation. Either Dan or Brandon serves as a single point of contact, asking questions and making sure they understand their client’s needs. Computer renderings of the designs are also provided. Ninety percent of the work involved in each job is performed in-house. They do their own stone work and run their own gas lines. Typically, their own employees, not subcontractors, install the products. The same cabinet shop has been creating mantels for the store since 1990.
18
September 2018
At Claxton, they truly care about their customers, and they approach every job as if they’re doing it for a family member. Over the years, many customers have become lifelong friends. They also take care of their employees, several of whom have been with the company for years. Dan likens their staff to “old Nebraska football—a consistent team, where you always know what to expect.” He tells his employees, “The customer writes your paycheck, not me.” This approach has served the company well—just ask John and Susan Natterman. The Nattermans hired Claxton to install an outdoor fireplace in their backyard. “I would have them back in a heartbeat,” John says. “I give them the highest marks.” He says that Dan came out two or three times to personally check on the project. “They are a very professional group of people; they’re artisans. The guys who came out to do the work cleaned up after themselves and even planted grass seed around the fireplace.” Claxton also performs routine maintenance and can diagnose problems. Their chimney sweep service is one of only a few that utilize cameras, enabling their technicians to see exactly what’s going on inside the chimney. Dan is an expert when it comes to identifying and resolving fireplace issues. “I can get a good idea of the problem based on things like their description and the neighborhood,” he explains. Enjoying time on the deck can be difficult in the Nebraska heat, particularly if it’s not a covered space. Claxton provides professional service and installation of a variety of awning and shade systems. Customers can even view retractable awnings in action inside the showroom. They also carry a selection of gas grills, pellet grills, and smokers to peruse. Commercial projects are also part of Claxton’s resume. Both the outdoor and inside lobby fireplaces at the downtown Omaha Marriott are beautiful examples of their handiwork, as is the fireplace at Firebirds restaurant. Their designs can be found all over Omaha. Claxton is your one-stop fireplace shop. Visit the showroom at 709 North 132nd Street, in Omaha. For more information, please call 402-491-0800 or visit claxtonfireplace.com. WE
Owner Dan Claxton
