Spotlight: The Plumbing Place

Bringing Design to Kitchen & Bath Products

By Ryan G. Van Cleave
March 2021

John Smithman was in the mortgage banking industry for 25 years when he came across the opportunity to purchase the Sarasota-based business The Plumbing Place. “I always enjoyed banking,” he says about that time, “but I longed to work in an environment where I could utilize my creative skills and work with my hands in an industry where luxury, design, and function all play important roles.”

Because of his relationships from the mortgage business, Smithman had an ample network of local builders, which allowed him to make the transition and keep many of the same customers, albeit having them in a different role. “I saw an opportunity to grow The Plumbing Place by improving our service to the customer, which was the mantra taught to me for years while working for Barnett Bank. Now our reputation for great customer service and product knowledge is the hallmark of our company.”

In April 2021, The Plumbing Place celebrates their 35th anniversary, and President John Smithman couldn’t be prouder of the choice he made to become part of it.

Common Sink Misconceptions

Smithman says that many customers enter his showroom with the goal of replacing their kitchen sink. Although this is indeed a possibility in many cases, whenever the current sink is undermounted beneath a stone countertop, it’s very difficult to find a new sink with the exact dimensions that will match their countertop cutout. Sure, some contractors will “recut and polish” the opening so that a larger sink can be retrofitted, but finding someone to do this? That can be difficult.

The better—and simpler—solution is to replace the sink with a self-rimming sink. “There are plenty of attractive styles in different materials available,” Smithman notes. Their expansive showroom contains proof enough of that.

In terms of bathroom sinks, though, customers don’t always realize that a leaky or completely inoperable faucet can often be fixed. Of course, getting a new replacement fixture is the easy way to go, but that can be be pricey. “Many times,” Smithman says, “we’re able to repair the customer’s faucet with minimal cost, provided it was purchased at The Plumbing Place.”

Great New Products

The top-of-the-line toilet at The Plumbing Place is the Toto Neorest, an electronic toilet with models ranging from $4,800 to $17,300. “They all provide similar functions, including automatic flushing, bidet functions, bowl rinsing with e-water (a natural germ-fighting solution to keep the bowl sanitized), auto open/close, a nightlight that activates when you approach it, and several other high-tech features,” Smithman explains. “The main difference in price is their size and design.”

He notes that another terrific product is a no-touch faucet like Delta’s Touch Faucet. Being able to turn them on and off without physical contact with dirty hands keeps them germ and dirt-free, which is a big deal in general, and a huge plus today because of the pandemic. 

Another product that’s experiencing a bump in popularity because of COVID-19 is steam systems. Since so many people either can’t or choose not to use steam rooms at their local gym, this gives them a viable at-home option. 

Having a steam system in your own shower provides fantastic health benefits and is a great way to relax after a rough day, whether you’re actually going to the office or working remotely at home.

Smithman adds that lighted bathroom mirrors are the most sought-after product he’s seen in years. It’s easy to see why—they provide a sharp, clean, and efficient way to illuminate the bathroom. They deliver welcome task lighting over the vanity. And they’re available in virtually every shape, size, orientation, and style. Because they’re equipped with long-lasting, low-voltage LEDs in a variety of brightness and color ranges, they offer efficient, no-maintenance lighting for many, many years.

Are Bathrooms Going High Tech?

“Technology is flooding the plumbing fixture industry just as it’s become a vital part of nearly every aspect of our lives,” says Smithman. “From electronic push-button showers and faucets, to front-door locks, music systems, and other high-tech features integrated into everyday products that can all be controlled by our phones or by voice activation.”

The Secret to The Plumbing Place’s Success

Prospective buyers prefer to touch and feel the products before making a purchase decision. Smithman says that “they like to know that when they buy a shower system from us, it will be designed in a way that will provide a great showering experience for them every day. They want their kitchen faucet to give them years of perfect service. But most important, they want to trust us to be here to help them navigate their product selection, and to help them through any issues they may have after the sale.” 

While many businesses closed because of COVID-19, The Plumbing Place remained open because it’s considered essential—construction and remodeling projects must continue. Safety and health concerns remain a top priority at The Plumbing Place, so they’re following the guidelines of the Governor’s office, the Florida Department of Health, and the CDC. To that end, they limit how many people can be in their showroom at once. Visitors are asked to contact them ahead of time and make an appointment before dropping by to meet Smithman and his team and explore the latest plumbing trends and fixtures. 

“Businesses like ours offer a product that’s fading from the landscape these days,” Smithman admits. “It’s called service. At a time when one can purchase almost anything they need with their computer and have it arrive at their door in days—or even hours— personal service and communication with experts is still very much desired.” For more information on The Plumbing Place, visit www.theplumbingplace.com or call 941.378.5678.