Dewey Whitehead: From Shag Carpet to Home Plate
Dewey & Arlene Whitehead: A Family, A Business, and A Community
Before Dewey Whitehead became known around Granger for colorful carpets and custom drapes, he was a Salt Lake City native with a knack for hard work and a gift for serving people.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Dewey attended Granite High School and the University of Utah. During World War II, he served his country as a merchant seaman, keeping vital supplies moving overseas. After the war, he returned home and stepped into the business world, first as an advertising salesman and then joining B.F. Goodrich in 1950 as an order clerk. By 1958, his dedication and people skills earned him a promotion to manager of B.F. Goodrich’s newly relocated store on East 2nd South. He worked his way up to territory manager, helping Utah families find just what they needed — skills he would later pour into his own business.
Dewey married Arlene in 1947, and together they were a hardworking team. In the early 1960s, Dewey moved further into home décor as an interior decorating counselor for Spud Adams Country Carpet on 3500 South — proof he’d found his calling helping neighbors make their houses feel like home.
In the summer of 1968, Dewey and Arlene launched Shag-Rug-La with their five children by their side. Starting in Dewey’s basement and quickly moving into the old Bob’s Polar King building at 3528 W 3500 South, they soon became a fixture of Granger’s growing business community.
Arlene was much more than a business partner — she was the heart of the family shop. She kept the store running smoothly, built friendships with customers, and stayed active in the community through the Westland Hills Country Club and other local organizations.
In the mid-1980s, the family faced a major change when their property was claimed through eminent domain to make way for the construction of the Bangerter Highway. True to their resilient spirit, Dewey and Arlene took Shag-Rug-La south, relocating the business to West Jordan, South Jordan, and Midvale to keep serving Utah families with the same trusted quality and care.
Today, Dewey’s legacy lives on. His granddaughter now owns and operates Shag-Rug-La in South Jordan — a third generation proudly rolling out the carpet, hanging the drapes, and carrying forward a business that began with a bold name and a family’s dream.
Through hard work, style, and genuine care for people, Dewey and Arlene Whitehead turned rolls of carpet and bolts of fabric into a lasting piece of West Valley’s story — and a local legacy that continues today.
At Spud Adams Country Carpet, Dewey honed his eye for interior design and his dedication to helping families turn houses into homes — experience that laid the foundation for Shag-Rug-La
Dewey and Arlene Whitehead at Westland Hills Country Club, where Arlene proudly served as a leader and brought her warmth and dedication to the wider community
Dewey proudly served as president of the WBBA, supporting youth baseball in our community.
Top: 1st location: 3528 W 3500 So
Bottom: 2nd location: 3730 W 3500 So
Beyond the showroom, Dewey was dedicated to his community in other ways too — he was actively involved in the Western Boys Baseball Association (WBBA) throughout the 1960s and early ’70s, even serving as president at times. Through the WBBA, Dewey helped countless local boys build teamwork, sportsmanship, and lifelong memories on the baseball diamond