Established in 1915 as Rochester Flooring Co., brothers  Cameil and Jules Claeys founded one of the first floor service businesses in the Utica – Central New York area. They brought with them a knowledge of installing all types of hardwoods including the “Rochester” style floors. They also specialized in the scraping (in those days electric sanders were just being thought of) and refinishing of floors already in existence.

In approximately 1932 Camiel and Jules decided to part ways. Cameil began operating under the Rochester Hardwood Floor Co. name, operating from 1016 Steuben Street, Utica. Cameil had two sons, Bob and Donald, who grew up learning the trait from their father. The sons worked for their father before and after serving four years in the US Marine Corps during World War II. After Cameil’s passing in 1947, Bob and Don took over the ownership of the flooring company and ran it together for a number of years.

After deciding to pursue other opportunities, Donald decided to leave the floor business full time. Keeping the business in operation, Bob renamed the company Robert F. Claeys floors, working out of Sunset Ave, and later Bristol Street in West Utica. Along with his wife Vicky, Bob serviced Utica and surrounding areas, as well as expanding into areas such as Oneida, Little Falls, and Old Forge. With a solid workforce of sons, nephews, and friends, Bob was able to take the business to new levels despite many changes to the flooring industry.