Richardson | February 2026

Business

BY KAREN CHANEY

Artwork, including statues featuring a variety of stones, are for sale at Texas Counter Fitters.

Texas Counter Fitters specializes in unique stone from around the world.

Texas Counter Fitters is situated on 4.5 acres in Richardson.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Texas Counter Fitters oers stone slabs, artwork

First-time visitors to Texas Counter Fitters showroom in Richardson are often surprised to nd a museum-like space, where natural stone slabs are showcased alongside diverse styles of artwork. “People are surprised by the beauty,” Community Engagement Ocer Diana Einstein said. “I’ve invited people here and they wear sneakers and sweatpants because they expect it to be dusty and cold. They walk in and say, ‘I should have dressed up, this is like an art gallery.’” Chris Blackburn and Andrew Gilbert opened Texas Counter Fitters in 2010 followed by the Richardson showroom in 2020. The set up Sandwiched between two indoor showrooms is an outside showroom. Each area features a variety of stone slabs sourced from around the world including Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Cambodia and more. Blackburn said Texas Counter Fitters focuses on exotic stones. “We specialize in unique [stones] whereas some distributors in town ood their inventory with what’s popular,” Blackburn said. “We buy stu that’s one-o and unique. We might sit on it—we just wait for that person to come in and go, ‘That’s the one!’” Interspersed throughout the showrooms are unique pieces of art many of which have stone components. Blackburn said the artwork helps customers and designers conceptualize what the

stone will look like in a home. Digging deeper Blackburn has visited a variety of stone quarries and explains a bit of the mining process. “The white marbles come from ... Calcutta, Italy. There are specic regions that are white marble,” Blackburn said. “Quartzites come from inside the earth. Sometimes you get good blocks, sometimes you get bad blocks. You don’t know until you’re cutting into it.” What else? Throughout the year, Texas Counter Fitters hosts events, including nonprot fundraising events, educational seminars and more. Blackburn measures success by the impact of their community involvement such as supporting initiatives like funding an art therapy center and installing natural quartzite countertops to enhance the kitchen at Dallas ISD’s After8toEducate, a shelter for DISD students. The background Armed with years of industry experience, Blackburn and Gilbert started out in a small space in east Dallas that had a tendency to attract unwel- come four-legged guests. In the ensuing years, the business has grown from a two-person operation to over 100 employees with their Richardson show- room encompassing 4.5 acres.

Stone home décor items are available at Texas Counter Fitters.

Texas Counter Fitters sources stone slabs from around the world.

E. ARAPAHO RD.

909 N. Bowser Road, Richardson www.texascountertters.com

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