In Rubash’s world, “beautiful” is a compliment, sure, but it’s also his business. Furniture is an expensive purchase and has to hold up well. But increasingly, it’s also a fashion statement.

Substance and style is what’s for sale every day at Interior Spaces.

Fifty years ago, furniture stores were more common in small town America. Over the years Pringle’s, Johnson Furniture, Von Feldt and Home Appliance & Television served generations of Webster Citians.

But today, all small town retailers have to compete with a host of nationally-branded big box stores and online retailers, selling mainly on price. It’s a fine balancing act.

-Messenger photo by Robert E. Oliver
Kevin Rubash, owner of Interior Spaces in downtown Webster City, is shown with Lucy Wilmoth, of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Lucy is Pat Westcott's oldest great-granddaughter.

Rubash had a humble start in the business.

“I took a ‘summer job’ at Home Appliance & Television in 1990. I was still there nine years later.”

Over those years, he developed a style of selling that still goes down well with shoppers today. In fact, it isn’t so much selling as helping people buy the right furniture for their homes.

“Many customers aren’t sure of their own taste,” Rubash said without a trace of judgment in his voice.

That kindly advice from a man, who clearly knows a lot about fashion and taste, is worth a lot — maybe as much as the furniture itself.

In September 2001, recognizing Rubash would be an asset on the floor of her already successful store, Pat Westcott asked Rubash to come to work for her at The Color Machine in Webster City.

“She was mostly selling paint and floor coverings then, and wanted to add furniture to the store’s mix. She wanted me to help her get there,” Rubash recalled.

Ten years ago, on January 9, 2015, to be precise, Rubash was asked to make one of the biggest decisions of his career: to buy, or not to buy, Westcott’s business Classic Carpets & Interiors.

“I never seriously considered owning a business myself. I wasn’t sure I wanted all the responsibility that comes with that,” Rubash mused while sitting in a stylish chair in his showroom. He asked Westcott if he could have a year to think about it. In recognition of their many years of working together, she agreed.

While thinking about becoming a business owner, Rubash became aware of how rooted he’d become in town.

“I’m not from Webster City, but it’s become my home. I love the people here and wanted to stay.”

So, as the months went along and he looked at the many aspects of store ownership, Rubash got closer and closer to yes.

“Once I decided to buy the business, the question of money came up,” Rubash said. “I didn’t have the money, so a loan — a pretty big loan — was key to the deal.”

It was then that Webster City got its chance to love Kevin Rubash back.

“I went to Dave Taylor at First State Bank and asked for that loan.”

Like any good, careful banker, Taylor said he needed time to think about it.

But, as things turned out, not much time.

“The same day he called back saying, we’ll give you whatever you need.”

Rubash was now the proud, if still slightly nervous, owner of Classic Carpets & Interiors. Looking back at how it happened, he’s humbled by it to this day.

“They took a chance on me and Webster City. I give them a lot of credit for that.”

One of the first tasks was to rename the store.

“I thought to myself, I’m more than carpet.”

And with that, Interior Spaces was born, a name giving Rubash latitude to sell whatever a customer might need to furnish or remodel their home.

Westcott died at her winter home in Mesa, Arizona, on February 6, 2019, but she’s never really left the business she created on Second Street. With a tone of gratitude in his voice, Rubash said, “Pat is always here, watching over me.”

And not just in spirit.

A poignant reminder of Pat greets patrons who enter the store’s back door from the parking lot: the bird girl statue. The original sculpture was created in 1936 by Sylvia Shaw Judson of Lake Forest, Illinois. Obscure for most of its life, it gained international notoriety for its role in “Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil,” by John Berendt. The statue was on the cover of the book, and in the first scene in the hit film. Westcott loved the statue, so when an opportunity arose to buy a copy of it, Rubash wasn’t slow.

Musing over it today, Rubash quietly said, “It belongs here; she’s a special lady.”

Although furniture is a focus, today’s Interior Spaces still carries Pittsburgh Paint and Mohawk Carpets, two brands Westcott sold from the time she launched her business. Rubash has also moved into hard flooring and area rugs, and has an expanding line of home decor accessories.

He emphasizes brands and goods made in the USA.

“I buy American whenever possible,” he said. “Customers like it, and we get great service from domestic suppliers.”

Other products that are part of hiss regular line include vinyl flooring from Mohawk, made in both Georgia and North Carolina; Graber Blinds, made in Tennessee; and Carole Draperies, also made in Georgia.

Interior Spaces emphasizes its service as much as its selection. The store doesn’t display furniture in vignettes — whole rooms arranged to sell in packages commonly seen in larger chain retailers. “I’m more design-oriented and I don’t like cookie-cutter rooms,” Rubash said.

Customers either buy merchandise directly off the floor or special order when necessary.

“I don’t have a warehouse. I buy one, sell one and move on,” Rubash explained. “That way, my customers aren’t likely to visit their neighbors and find they have the identical sofa or chair.”

Call it small town.

Call it old-fashioned.

It’s one of the delightful realities of living local.

Looking back on 10 years, Rubash said time has gone by quickly. He expressed special thanks to Mary Beth Moore, who worked in the store for nine years. “She’s a special friend, and had a wonderful way with customers. I wouldn’t have survived without her.”

Most of all, Rubash thanked the people of Webster City, and customers from further afield in north central Iowa. “They’ve always supported me.”

That kind of loyalty is the result of years of hard work, and an ongoing dedication to substance style and service that never goes out of style.