Employee Spotlight: Meet Justin Merritt

Have you ever gotten so excited about paint that you high-fived a customer? Well, that might just happen if you meet Justin in our Waynesboro or Staunton paint stores. After cheering on the Hokies at Virginia Tech, Justin joined the Cardinal Home Center family in 2020 and has been transforming homes with his paint expertise ever since.

While Justin may not have tackled any epic DIY challenges at work (yet!), his competitive spirit from his high school swimming days definitely comes in handy. Back then, Justin qualified for YMCA Nationals – talk about setting a high bar!

For Justin, the joy of working at Cardinal Home Center is the connection he forms with customers. His face lights up when a customer returns, sharing how their perfectly matched paint transformed their living room into a masterpiece. These moments make his work truly rewarding.

Here’s a pro tip from Justin for first-time painters: prep work is key! Don’t underestimate the power of good cleaning and sanding—it’s the secret sauce to a flawless finish.

In his free time, you won’t find Justin glued to the TV cheering on a specific team (although he is always down for a good game!). Instead, he will likely be found soaking up the sunshine in a hammock or paddling down a river in a kayak.

When we asked Justin to tell us something that would surprise us, he shared that when he was five, he entered a raffle and won a Seedoo jet boat! Unfortunately, with a smile, he also shared that he had never won anything that cool again.

But when it all comes down to it, Justin is happiest when surrounded by friends on a beautiful day. So, the next time you’re in the Waynesboro or Staunton paint stores, stop by and say hi! You might just walk out with the perfect paint color and a new friend.