For Jason and Justin Van, City Paint & Glass is the continuation of a family tradition.
The shop and retail store combine to create a full-service glass shop, covering everything from commercial to residential — from frameless shower enclosures, to glass storefronts.
High-end residential door lock sets, made by California-based Emtek, are the newest addition to the store’s offerings. City Paint & Glass also is a certified home renovator.
The store does automotive glass work and carries a wide array of paint, with Pittsburgh Paints as the primary line.
“We’ve been fortunate to build a lot of relationships with the area’s professionals,” Jason Van said. “They’re loyal to us. We sell to all the best in town. They explain to their customers that we’re their preferred source of paint, and feel like they get their best value here.”
In the midst of the holiday season, Van noticed an uptick in customers repainting their interiors to freshen rooms.
“A new coat of paint is generally accepted as the biggest bang for your buck as far as interior renovation,” Van said.
A Van has held a position in the glass and window business since the brothers’ grandfather, Jimmie Van Sr., opened Magnolia Glass and Paint in 1957.
Jimmie Van Sr. and his son, Jimmie Van Jr., opened City Paint & Glass in 1971 at its current location at Pike Center Mart. Another son, Jerry, took over the Magnolia business.
Of course, a lot has changed since the business opened. Pike Center Mart was the county’s first shopping center, but much of McComb’s business growth has been to the north and west.
City Paint & Glass may not be far behind. Jason Van, who returned from Florida to take over the business in 2007, said he and his brother are considering moving the retail center to another location. The shop will remain in Pike Center Mart.
Van plans to build a show room and design center at the new location, with portfolios of local painters, drywall finishers, builders and others.
“We’ve been established so many years here that over time, we know pretty much all the builders in the area,” Van said. “We pride ourselves on being a source of information, not just a source of paint.”
He noted that one of the business’ competitors, Sherwin Williams, is in the process of a similar move right now.
“We’re both in this old part of town and we both needed to move,” Van said. “Change is tough. People resist change. I run across people who don’t think it’s necessary, but that’s because they’re coming to us where we are.”
Van doesn’t shy away from mentioning the store’s two chief competitors — Sherwin Williams and big-box giant Lowe’s — because he believes City Paint & Glass offers a better overall shopping experience.
Van said one of the biggest problems City Paint & Glass has had is the perception that the larger chain stores’ prices are significantly lower than what his business offers.
He also pointed out the biggest advantage City Paint & Glass has over larger competitors — the ability to help customers see their job through to the end.
The brothers often make house calls to handle installations after products are purchased at their store, or to fix problems if needed.
“We are locally owned, but our prices are some of the best in town,” Van said. “The painters who buy paint here, it’s not just because they know us and like us. Money’s money.
“I’m thankful we’re not in a position that I’m asking people to shop here because we’re locally owned. Check our prices. Ask the painters.”
