New Home Theater Business Will Sell, Then Service System

BLOOMINGTON - Dustin LaFond sells an experience, the comfort and relaxation of an at-home movie theater complete with the big screen, sound system and recliner.

But the experience doesn't stop when the movie's over. LaFond or one of his five technicians installs everything. Have a problem? They fix it.

As a former State Farm Insurance Cos. employee, LaFond likens his service to that of a State Farm agent. He handles all of your home- entertainment needs, from design to maintenance.

"If someone's looking for the best price on a TV, that's not us," said LaFond, owner of Impressive Home Theaters, 403 Bronco Drive, near the Palace Cinemas in Bloomington. "If you're looking for someone to call for a whole system installation and someone to call when you screw it up, that's us. ... We'll get everything working on one remote."

That service earned LaFond recognition in the home-entertainment industry. Electronic House magazine named him a runner-up in its 2007 Home Theater of the Year contest for his design and installation of an in-home entertainment system replicating a Depression-era Chicago movie theater with a 111-inch screen, motorized drapes, vibrating recliners and 1,200-disc DVD players. View the article and a slideshow of the home theater at www.electronichouse.com/article/hooray_for_hollywood.

After working from home the last four years, LaFond opened the 1,700-square-foot showroom recently. Shoppers won't find flat-panel televisions hanging on a wall though. The showroom displays six or seven working models to give shoppers the feel for what the theater will look like in their homes. Wires are hidden. The theater fits right into the home.

For more information on LaFond's products, visit www.impressivehometheaters.com or call (309) 661-3234. His showroom is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday or by appointment.

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