Grooms Office Environments sells to COO

Olin Grooms closed this month on the sale of his nearly four-decade-old commercial interior design company to his chief operating officer.

Effective Jan. 1, COO and Vice President Audrey Garard and her husband, Jonathan Garard, became the new owners, Grooms said, declining to disclose the sale price.

“The timing’s right on selling this. It’s nice to go out on top. We just finished the most successful year we’ve had in our 37-year history,” he said, pointing to 2014 as the company’s most profitable year on revenue of $7.5 million. “Audrey, in her role as chief operating officer, contributed a great deal. So in a way you might say she earned a right to buy the business.”

Grooms, 80, said he has stayed on with the company to smooth the transition and could continue working for two to three years in preparation for retirement.

He said the 19-employee company, which jumped from 2013 revenue of $5.5 million, benefits from new leadership from a known officer.

“All my employees are very enthused and excited to have the same leadership. This is just a lot better thing for my employees,” Grooms said. “They know where they stand. They’re secure.”

Grooms Office Environments, which got its start selling office chairs, now provides commercial interior designs, space planning, office furniture and installation.