Like many small businesses around the country, Marble Works on East Central Freeway had a very humble beginning, according to owner Mike Lewis.

"Marble Works began as an offshoot of Cast Marble, wife Valery said. "Mike's cousin Brent Lewis owned Cast Marble."

"In 1978 I worked for Brent for about five years before I started picking up business here," Lewis said. "Then I started to pick up builders here, and I had a little showroom in my garage."

That was in 1983.

"For the first four or five years of my business, my cousin made all my marble, and I would haul it back here and install it," he said. "I got to where I could open this shop with a little help from my brother (James Lewis) and brother-in-law (Joey Aboussie). They financially helped me to get enough to get started. I started pouring my own marble when I got this building in '91. That is kind of how it all happened."

Marble Works is still in the original building.

"I actually lived in this building for about a year when I first started ... to save costs," Lewis said. "The day I deposited more money in the bank than I owed, this place caught on fire. I was so happy that day before the fire. I was down about a month, but fortunately having a good relationship with Cattleman's Bank saved my butt," he said.

Marble Works manufactures and installs cultured marble. The business makes tubs, showers, vanities, countertops, backsplashes and more. They also carry ceramic tile, granite, glass tile and cabinet hardware.

The business also features a showroom with samples of their work.

"You can see examples of our work in our showroom. We can customize our products, and basically the colors are unlimited," he said.

"Everything is where you can see it," customer Michael Pitman said. "The way she has it set up gives you an idea of how it could be in your home. There is a shower curtain, a towel rack and flowers for decoration. It has a homey feel."

"When people are building a new house, they like to look at a little something for themselves — something custom," Lewis said.

"Mike has always paid a lot of attention to the quality of resins and gel coats that he uses," Valery said. "For instance, to produce his marble he uses a gel coat that has UV inhibitors that keep the color from fading. We also use a high marble-to-resin ratio to produce a more rigid, durable product. The resin (that bonds the marble dust together) is more flexible. The marble dust is the strength. ... It's the backbone."

Marble Works is at 2900 East Central Freeway. The businesses telephone number is 940-767-0664 or 940-228-3322. Showroom hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.