Lozano Tile’s work can be seen throughout the area

FAIRFIELD — From the outside, such as the walls of the Cordelia branch of the Fairfield library, to the interior of a private home, Lozano Tile has left its mark on the area.

The 60-year-old business is in the hands of the second generation of the Lozano family.

William Lozano started the business. His sons, Gary and Steve Lozano, took over after their father’s retirement. Now, it’s just Steve Lozano as Gary Lozano retired recently.

“I get a lot of old-timers who remember my dad,” Steve Lozano said.

The business was launched out of the family’s Fairfield home in 1952. In 1976, a 2,500-square-foot showroom and warehouse was built off Rockville Road, on Lozano Lane. It remains there today with a staff of eight to 10 employees.

Work is done in Solano County cities as well as Concord and Winters.

Business is pretty evenly split between residential and commercial, Steve Lozano said. Remodels are key in a tough economy.

“There’s not a lot of new construction,” he said.

He’s trying to remain upbeat about the future, saying the business has made it through downturns before.

About 10 years ago, the tile business underwent a pretty big transformation as tile took on new forms, including some that even resembles hardwood. About five years earlier, granite countertops became popular.

Recently, the business has been called upon to tile patios. Growing in popularity is tiling bathroom floors with heaters under them. Some homeowners are doing the same with their shower stall floors, Steve Lozano said.

Steve Lozano grew up in Fairfield and was in the first graduating class at St. Patrick’s High School in Vallejo. During the summer and on weekends, he worked alongside his father.

Spring is the busiest time of the year. In the late fall, the company is called upon for jobs to be done in time for holiday parties.

Good quality work, honest, fair pricing and good customer service are the keys to the company’s longevity, Steve Lozano said.

Homebuilder Steve Hanley couldn’t agree more. He’s dealt with Lozano Tile since 1979.

“They have done over 200 new houses and an equal number of remodels as well,” Hanley said of Lozano Tile.

He likes their work so much, he hired Lozano Tile to do work on the house he built in 1989 and remodeled in 2005.

“I see us working together for many years,” Hanley said.

Steve Lozano contemplates retiring. Maybe in another five years.

As for who will run the business, Lozano talks about passing the business on to his office manager, Shelley Reisbeck, who also serves as the company’s design consultant. Her family is in the same business.

Lozano Tile has also worked on Napa Valley wineries as well as the original NorthBay Medical Center.

Reach Amy Maginnis-Honey at 427-6957 or amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amaginnisdr.

Lozano Tile

Founded: 1952

Address: 4321 Lozano Lane, Fairfield

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Phone: 425-8883

Website: www.lozanotileinc.com

Amy Maginnis-Honey

Amy Maginnis-Honey joined the staff of the Daily Republic in 1980. She’ll tell you she was only 3 at the time. Over the past three decades she’s done a variety of jobs in the newsroom. Today, she covers arts and entertainment and writes for the Living and news pages.

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