Abbott Paint & Carpet was started in 1945 by it's founder, Howard (Mike) Abbott Jr., who retired in 1990 but still works his same hours and maintains his same office. The original store was located on Marshall Avenue in St. Paul which was then moved in 1971 to it's present location at 1808 Grand Avenue in St. Paul. The second store was opened in August of 1991 in White Bear Lake, formerly called Engen's Paint, which was a fixture in White Bear Lake for 40 years. The White Bear store was moved to it's present location at 2223 4th street in downtown White Bear Lake in 1995. The third store was added in 1995 in Stillwater at 1672 Greeley Street, formerly called Home Decorating Center.