Hudson Hub Times, April 3, 2005
Hudson resident Hamid Wardak, who fled Afghanistan in 1987, opened Abraham & Bros. Oriental Rugs Imports & Services in Avon Lake Sept. 17, 2004 with his brother, Najib Wardak of Stow.
Wardak, who was an Afghan physician, fled his war torn homeland in 1987, becoming a refugee. The Kabul native spent several years in Pakistan and immigrated to the United States in 1993. His brother, Najib, relocated here in 1997.
Hamid Wardak spent 10 years working within the rug industry before opening Abraham & Bros. with his brother, who has 28 years of experience in Oriental rug repair and restoration.
The company, at 114 Moore Road, offers handmade or “knotted” wool and silk carpets from China, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey.
Wardak said he seeks out “RUGMARK” labels when purchasing from overseas. The “RUGMARK” label indicates the rugs have not been made using child labor, he said. Abraham & Bros., named after Hamid’s children, including his youngest son, Abraham, donates a percentage of a RUGMARK rug’s sale to help with child welfare issues.
“They are trying to take the children from looms to schools,” Hamid said.
Abraham & Bros. carpets range from under $100 for simpler pieces to more than $15,000.
Najib Wardak completes repair and restoration work on-site. The company offers full-value trade-ins and will bring sample rugs to clients’ homes to determine if the piece fits in with the home’s decor.
