Century Tile was founded on Austin Avenue in Chicago by partners Frank Parks Sr. and Paul Spiewak in 1947 and in recent years (until earlier this year), their children and grandchildren ran the business, with the help of an outside president. Elaine Carlson, who served as vice president/general manager, was one of those family members.
As of 2013, Century Tile was one of the 25 largest floor covering retailers in the country, selling out of 12 locations in and around Chicago, including their Mount Prospect location at the intersection of Rand and Mount Prospect Roads. This site was one of last two Century Tile stores to remain open during the months-long liquidation of the 74-year-old family business — which seems fitting since Mount Prospect was one of their oldest locations.
The Mount Prospect Century Tile store closed in mid-2021.