integrity. craftsmanship. sustainability.

Our History

The humble beginnings of Mr. David's turned into international success is true story of two young men aspiring to live the American dream. In the early ‘70s, David Zmijewski began working with his uncle Weldon as a residential carpet installer and soon after, his brother Leonard followed. Leonard and David were not afraid of hard work. Combined with vision and conviction, the two brothers had the ambition to become true entrepreneurs.

Though reasonably successful in their small, residential venture, Leonard and David wanted to bring their operation to the next level. That next logical step was a large, commercial contract. After making a connection at the Hyatt O’Hare and enthusiastically taking small, unprofitable repair jobs at the hotel, the brothers had the gumption to put in a bid for its entire renovation in 1974. Frankly put, David and Leonard had no idea what they were getting themselves into, but they never once shied away from the challenge.

Amazingly the brothers were awarded the contract and only then realized they needed a union contract, insurance, a warehouse, a lift truck—needless to say, there was a learning curve. With only six men, Leonard, David, and Tom Nowicki included, Mr. David's completed the entire hotel one month ahead of schedule! Now more than ever, it was clear to anyone paying attention that these young men were determined to make their mark on the floorcovering industry.

The impressive installation completed by the brothers at Hyatt O’Hare was rewarded by a contract at the new Hyatt Chicago in 1977. Then, when Hyatt moved its headquarters to Chicago, Leonard and David were right there, working at the new office and installing carpet in all Hyatt venues. The brothers’ drive and dedication to their craft was unmistakable, endearing, and the key to the explosion of success that was to follow.

The Hyatt Grand Cypress in Florida was the first out of town project completed by Mr. David's. Though the conditions weren’t ideal and they had the disadvantage as a small company from out of town, the brothers pushed through adversity, fighting tooth and nail to do their job well. Once again, Leonard and David’s tenacity earned them respect and the unfailing loyalty of Hyatt.

As Mr. David's grew larger, Leonard and David branched out from Hyatt and gained other customers in the hospitality industry. Very quickly, Mr. David's became synonymous with quality hotel carpet installation around the world. In the fall of 2001, the attack that shook the country served as a catalyst for diversification at Mr. David's; within months, the company was working on corporate, education, and healthcare projects. As time passed, the company also expanded its services from mostly carpet installation to include all materials—resilient, stone, wood—thereby prompting the brothers to do business as Mr. David's Flooring International, Ltd.

When David and Leonard set out nearly 40 years ago, they never aimed to be one of the biggest commercial flooring installers in the country, but rather the best. That passion together with their entrepreneurial spirits has transformed Mr. David's into the true American success story it is today.

Mr. David's History:
Company-Changing Events over the past 40 years