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Feature Story : Maple Lane Wood
Maple Lane Wood--building furniture and making friends By Holly Drake Freeman Yoder began working with wood 25 years ago. Today, his experience shows in the finely crafted furniture produced at his business, Maple Lane Wood. Special touches, such as hand sanding and dovetailed joints, can only begin to describe the furniture Yoder builds. Maple Lane Wood is known today for its custom builds, for creating what the customer conceives, and for doing it with the skill of a master craftsman. Although furniture retailers are prevalent in the area, custom builders are not. Yoder works in a shop on his property with his sons, keeping Maple Lane Wood in the family. Yoder and his wife started Maple Lane Wood five years ago in order “to have our own business,” he said. Eighty percent of the work that Yoder does is custom built. Much of his time is spent on kitchen cabinets and wall units. He also builds custom bathroom pieces, office units, and entertainment centers. “There is a good market for custom,” Yoder said. People want to be able to dream up their own plans and see it come to life in their homes. “You imagine it... We build it” is the well earned slogan of Maple Lane Wood. On Yoder’s desk lay rough sketches, carefully designed specs, and pictures pulled from catalogs. Each represents a piece of furniture waiting to be built, and to Yoder, each piece of furniture represents a special client. Mark and Kris Nusbaum, from Lima, were in the area five years ago looking for some end tables. When they asked a group of young people at a store where to go, they were directed to Maple Lane Wood. They didn’t even look anywhere else, Mark said. “Kris wanted to know who built her furniture,” he said, rather than buying it off a retail floor. When they walked into Maple Lane Wood, they connected with Yoder and his family right away. “It’s not just a customer walking in the door,” Yoder said. “It’s more than just a customer.” The Nusbaums have returned at least once every year to visit the Yoders. Often they buy another piece of furniture, but not always. “We have a lot of fun just coming over here,” Kris said. This year they brought their children and grandchildren with them. “People will call us and ask, who built that for you?” Kris said of her furniture. She doesn’t hesitate to send friends, family, and coworkers to Maple Lane Wood. “Everybody’s been extremely happy,” Mark reported, in regard to friends who have purchased from Yoder. According to Yoder, most of the advertising for Maple Lane Wood is word of mouth, from clients just like the Nusbaums. Very seldom does a first-time customer come to him without knowing a prior client. The Nusbaums brought an entire group a few years ago and each person ended up ordering something. Yoder encourages people to bring their drawings and ideas to him to get a price quote. Yoder also color matches, he said, and welcomes his clients to bring a drawer front or cabinet door with them. “If a customer comes in and says, I want this, we don’t say no,” Yoder said. The Nusbaums encourage people to check out Maple Lane Wood as well. “Get some furniture built and make a friend,” Kris suggested. “We have friends from many places,” Yoder’s wife, Mattie, noted, pointing out that many out-of-state clients from places like Michigan and Kentucky often come back just to visit. “It’s not only about the business,” said Yoder. “It’s the friends you make in business.” Maple Lane Wood is located on TR 652, just outside of Mt. Hope. Call 330-359-0239 for more information. |
Address: 8360 Township Road 652 Millersburg, OH 44654 330-698-3200 fax Visit Us: M-F 9am-4pm, Saturday by Chance or call ahead. Close Sundays
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