Floor & Decor recently rolled out the red flooring for its first New Mexico store. The Georgia-based retailer, focused on hard-surfaced flooring, opened its doors September 6 to its 74,000-square-foot building.

“We are delighted to help bring this national retailer to New Mexico,” said Steve Maestas, CEO of Maestas Development Group. “The economic impact of Floor and Decor will invigorate our construction and housing industries and has already created more than 50 new jobs.”

Matt Averill, the store's "chief executive merchant," said he received about 175 applications for the 48 positions he's filled and the five more he's planning to hire for. "I feel like out of all of the stores I've worked at, this has been the best staff I've been able to work with," he said.

The store held an industry opening on September 5, with about 500 people who came to tour the new store and win prizes. Averill, who moved to Albuquerque from Tucson, Arizona, earlier this summer to open this store, said he knew there was opportunity for a store in New Mexico when he would see Albuquerque customers at Floor & Decor in Denver. This is the company's 93rd location.

For more information, visit www.flooranddecor.com.