Merriam Park Painting began in 1982. Ed Gross and Norm Gross, who are brothers grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa and learned many practical skills including the skill of painting. Buildings, barns, and the house all needed to be kept up and so, at an early age they were exposed to the painting process. When Ed was in High School his older brother began a painting business, and therefore, Ed was exposed to more of the painting trade.