Interview with David Zarin, President of Zarin Fabrics, One of the Largest Decorative Fabric Retailers in the U.S.

We recently sat down with David Zarin, President of Zarin Fabrics, one of the largest decorative fabric retailers in the country and a trusted partner for interior designers, theater professionals, and homeowners for almost 90 years. Zarin Fabrics is known not only for its deep inventory of high-quality textiles but also for its white-glove custom services—from draperies and upholstery to fabrication and installation.

While Zarin Fabrics may seem far from the world of payment processing, the business relies heavily on personalized retail experiences and seamless point-of-sale service—values that align closely with what BAMS delivers in the payments space. In this interview, David reflects on the evolving nature of retail, customer trust, and how tradition and technology can work hand-in-hand.

Q&A with David Zarin, President of Zarin Fabrics

BAMS: Zarin Fabrics has been around since 1936. What’s changed most in how customers shop with you—and what’s stayed the same?

DAVID: What’s changed is how people discover us. Today, most new customers find us online, check our Instagram, read reviews, and then visit in person or order swatches. What hasn’t changed is what happens once they’re in. People still want to be guided, not sold. They come in with a vibe or mood, and we help them bring it to life. And just like BAMS focuses on simplifying transactions, we try to make the decision process as frictionless as possible—so someone can walk in with a photo of their living room and leave with a clear plan.

BAMS: You work with both designers and everyday consumers. How do you personalize those very different experiences?

DAVID: We actually treat them more similarly than you’d think. A first-time apartment owner and a top-tier designer both want to feel seen. We ask questions. We get tactile. We ship samples. We follow up. The real difference is in the pace and scope. A designer might need 500 yards of commercial-grade velvet shipped to multiple locations. A homeowner might want a roman shade that makes their space feel warm. But both expect clarity, professionalism, and transparency at the register. We upgraded our POS years ago to keep up. In fact, the ability to process custom orders quickly and securely has been just as important as our inventory.

BAMS: How does payment experience affect trust, especially in a business built on long-term relationships?

DAVID: Tremendously. When a restaurant owner is reupholstering 40 banquettes on a deadline, they want to know they can pay quickly, track the invoice, and get updates. The same goes for repeat residential clients—we’ve had some families work with us across generations. If something is clunky at checkout or hard to follow up on, it undermines everything. That’s why the ability to process deposits, partial payments, and final balances smoothly is so important. It’s not just a back-end function. It’s part of the customer experience.

BAMS: What advice would you give to other retailers managing both custom orders and in-person sales?

DAVID: Invest in systems that make your team look smart and your customers feel respected. That means digital invoicing that auto-updates, card readers that don’t glitch, and flexible ways to break out custom jobs. It also means training staff to use those tools. The customer doesn’t care how cool your software is if it slows things down. The tools should make the experience feel elevated and effortless.

BAMS: What’s next for Zarin Fabrics?

DAVID: We’re leaning into national expansion. Designers and hospitality clients across the country are ordering from us because they can’t find our mix of in-stock selection and deep service elsewhere. We’re also investing in content—video swatch books, behind-the-scenes tours, care guides. We want to demystify fabric for people. Whether someone’s spending $100 or $10,000, we want them to feel in control—and that starts with both material knowledge and a smooth, modern transaction.

Be sure to read the other entries in our ongoing Executive Interview series, including our recent interview with Microblink CEO Hartley Thompson