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W HOL E SA L E 2015 Furniture A guide to the Premier Amish Furniture Manufacturers in Northern Indiana Heartland Directory 2 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers Heartland Directory of WHOLESALE FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS Printed in USA 2015 Volume 5 Meet an Amish Woodcrafter by Dan Byler, publisher We have realized that many of you would love to get to know some of our Amish Furniture builders in Northern Indiana. This issue showcases our first “Featured Builder” article to introduce Table of Contents Advertiser Index............19 Advertiser Map ..... 12-13 Articles — Indiana Amish Facts.........7 Featured Builder............... 21 Cover photo courtesy of Streamside Wood Shop you to Merl Stoltzfus, a forty year old Amish woodcrafter and To see how their hard work is paying off, one has only to look at the number of these woodcrafters that have added to their manufacturing facilities over the last year or two. As they develop strong relationships with dealers across the country, they build loyalty and repeat business. In turn, these woodcrafters can offer jobs to relatives and neighbors, providing occupations where they can better live the Amish lifestyle. As always, these participating advertisers are showcasing their new styles here and at the annual Northern Indiana Woodworkers Association Expo which is scheduled for April 7 & 8 this year. Check out www.indianawoodcrafters.com to request an invitation to this premier annual event. If traveling to Northern Indiana’s Amish Country is not an option this year, we encourage to contact some of these advertisers Published by LaGwana Printing, Inc. 260-463-4901 PO Box 70 Shipshewana, IN 46565 www.lagwana.com www.HeartlandDirectory.com Publisher/Writer/Photographer Dan Byler Ad Sales/Proofing Kelly O’Connor Design/Layout Melody DuVal Ad Design Elliot Mullet directly. Layout © LaGwana Printing, Inc. 2015 Proofreading All photos, stories and advertisements are copyrighted by Heartland Directory/ LaGwana Printing, Inc. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from LaGwana Printing, Inc. Tamar Wilkins & Janay Parker Sharon Herschberger 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers father of three. 3 4665N 450W Shipshewana, IN 46565 Ph. 260-562-2220 Fax 260-562-3698 Distributors of �ine furniture Finish for all types of furniture 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers Wide variety of stains and �inishes 4 We manufacture a wide variety of products. Our specialties are still electric fireplace cabinets and entertainment stands. We also have secretary and flat-top desks, kitchen islands, benches, hutches, and more. Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry Since 2004 60988 CR 43 · Middleury, IN 46540 574.825.3263 · Fx 574.825.9034 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers 5 Make Your Rooms Come Alive! O ur hardwood flooring makes any room come alive! Featuring beveled edges, tongue-and-groove with nail set and ends with tongue-and-groove in random or uniform widths. We also do custom milling and can sand and refinish existing floors with dust-containment system. Floor Maintenance System Clean existing hardwood floors, eliminates surface scratches and extends the life of your floor. Great for realtors! Stairways Manufacture and install custom staircases to match your hardwood floor. Bring your blueprints to our showroom for a free estimate. Ruby Yoder, Sales Rep | 574-527-6681 | rudystoneyacres@yahoo.com 2685S 1000W | Shipshewana, IN 46565 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers Leon, Lee and Junior Beachy | Ph. 260.768.4367 | Fx. 260.768.4113 6 PROFESSIONAL POOL TABLES GAMING TABLES IN MANY STYLES Write for a catalog of all our gaming tables, pool tables, and accessories. 10635 CR 28 • Middlebury, IN 46540 Ph. 574.825.7756 • Fx. 574.825.8060 INDIANA’S AMISH POPULATION THIRD LARGEST IN UNITED STATES The Amish population in North America has grown to nearly a quarter of a million people. The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College estimates that in May 2014 the Amish population of the United States was 290,100. The report shows 469 Amish settlements in 31 states. As they have for a long time, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana are the top three with the most Amish by a considerable margin. Ohio reports 65,475, slightly ahead of Pennsylvania with 65,270. Indiana ranks third with 49,070, more than twice as many as Wisconsin, which ranks fourth with 16,130. The numbers in the study are estimates, based on an average of 137 per church district. THE AMISH POPULATION HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED Over the past 22 years the Amish population in the United States has more than doubled. The estimated population in 1992 was 125,415. That’s an increase of 153,530, or a growth rate of 120 percent. Historically, the Amish population has doubled every 20 years. If that rate were to continue, in another 100 years the Amish population would be over nine million. There are two major reasons for this continued growth. One is the size of the families. The Amish average 5-6 children per family, which creates a natural growth rate. The second reason is an increased number of children joining the church. In the past, estimates were that less than 80 percent remained Amish (and in certain 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers 7 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers areas in Indiana perhaps not much more than 50 percent). Today, estimates are that 95 percent join the church when they become adults. Indiana has one of the most concentrated Amish population centers. Although Indiana has only 16,000 fewer Amish than either Ohio and Pennsylvania, it has only 23 settlements compared to 55 in Ohio and 52 in Pennsylvania. The Elkhart/LaGrange county area of Indiana is the third largest settlement in the United States with 168 districts. Also in Indiana, the Nappanee area is sixth with 42. These two areas are growing together with both settlements growing toward the other. If these two communities join together into one, that would be very close to the largest community of Amish in the United States. 8 Information taken from “Amish Population Profile 2014.” Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College. http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Population_Profile_2014. asp and Indiana Amish Directory, Elkhart, LaGrange and Noble Counties, 2012. INDIANA AMISH QUICK FACTS The primary communities are in western LaGrange County, eastern Elkhart County and the four-county area surrounding Nappanee. The Elkhart/LaGrange County Amish community had a population of 20,900 as of 2012. Estimated population for the Nappanee area at the same time was 5,200. The Amish first came to Northern Indiana in 1841. The Amish come from the same Anabaptist roots as the Mennonites. They were formed by Jacob Amman in 1693 because he felt Mennonites had become too worldly. Amish churches are created by geographical divisions. The average number of households per church district is 29. The Amish make an individual choice as young adults whether to join the church and remain Amish. Although the basic beliefs remain constant from church to church, each church district decides what they will or won’t allow from their members. In Amish families, the husband is the breadwinner while the wife stays at home to run the household. The traditional divisions are changing, though, as the Amish move toward home-based businesses. Wives play an integral role in many of those businesses. The Amish are bilingual. Pennsylvania Dutch, a dialect of German, is the primary language of the Amish. Most learn English before starting school and most are comfortable holding conversations in either language. 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers 9 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers It’s the little things that make a house a home! 10 112 Industrial Parkway East Middlebury, IN 46540 Ph. 574-825-4692 • Fax 574-825-4594 Tractor Rocker Aspen Mirror Aspen Shelf Distributor of small crafts from more than 80 local craftsmen Bunfoot Jewelry Armoire Kid’s Royal Mission Table and Chairs • Wooden Toys & Games • Magazine Racks • Shelves & Mirrors • Jewelry Chests • Poly Bird Feeders • Kitchen Accessories • Hall Trees • Cedar Chests • Kid’s Furniture • Plant Stands and many other items all in one convenient location! FURNITURE 10961 N Centerville Rd • Williamsburg, IN 47393 Lawn & Patio Furniture 765-886-1406 Office Furniture | Entertainment Centers Kitchen Islands | Occassional Furniture We specialize in Mission and also have a large selection of chests. Call or write for free catalog. Chairs & Gliders Swings Picnic Tables Side Tables Windmills Wishing Wells Arbors Larry Eash/64885 CR 33/Goshen, IN 46528/574-642-3596 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers TRIPLE F 11 CR 39 900W 1100W 200S E. Co. Line Rd 15 300S CR 36 CR 40 700S 18 3 7 13 CR CR 148 SR 13 CR 48 CR 48 900W 900W 900W 1000W 1025W 1100W 1025N 1000N CR 146 12 975W CR 37 CR 146 33 CR 146 CR 33 CR 44 1100N 1025W CR 46 CR 46 1200W CR 44 2 800S 1200N 1175W CR 43 CR 44 CR 44 3 13 CR 27 CR 42 CR 42 S U CR 25 CR 42 CR CR 23 MILLERSBURG MILLERSBURG SR 13 CR 31 CR 44 29 CR 48 CR 40 E. Co. Line 1200W 1100W 600S 10 1050W CR 41 CR 38 950W 1125W CR 43 1000W 400S 500S CR 38 900W 1000W 1100W 1 CR 34 CR 36 925W 1000W 1150W 19 CR 43 SR 13 CR 37 1200W CR 43 CR 41 CR 39 SR 13 CR 131 CR 35 100S CR 30 6 1100W E. Co. Line Rd 1200W 1150W CR 43 CR 116 SR 13 CR 37 CR 35 SR 4 CR 24 CR 28 CR 35 CR 133 1000W 1150W CR 43 SR 13 CR 39 CR 37 CR 8 CR 35 CR 35 CR 33 CR 33 CR 126 CR 32 CR 33 CR 142 CR 127 29 CR 27 CR 42 SR 15 CR 121 CR CR 146 CR 21 28 CR 40 CR CR 46 CR 19 CR CR 26 CR 26 CR 40 NEW PARIS CR 117 CR 20 21 050N CR 18 18 CR 34 CR 33 CR 38 CR 40 12 CR 126 CR 131 CR 36 CR 27 SR 15 CR 38 CR 31 CR 21 CR 19 CR 33 CR 33 CR 31 29 CR 22 CR 29 CR 127 Blackport CR 21 CR 34 CR 22 CR 43 CR 131 CR 31 CR 31 CR 31 CR 29 CR CR 27 22 SR 15 CR 19 CR 21 CR SR 4 College Ave. CR 38 CR 44 CR 22 CR 24 CR 28 CR 28 250N CR 116 CR 18 CR 26 SR 119 CR 142 CR 16 CR 126 GOSHEN CR 138 CR 35 CR 27 CR 27 CR 27 SR 15 CR 26 CR 19 CR 29 CR 23 CR 23 CR 21 CR 117 CR 19 CR 23 CR 24 CR 14 CR 16 *Not located on area map. CR 20 375N MIDDLEBURY 25 Woodside Woodworks CR 20 450N 450N CR 10 CR 12 CR 14 24 Triple F Furniture* CR 18 CR 20 CR 36 R3 3 23 Townline Furniture 1 Hoosier Heirlooms CR 14 1 CR 18 CR 12 22 SuperiorCWoodcrafts 10 Honeybee Furniture, LLC CR 32 C 9 12 14 Furniture 9 Hochstetler CR Lawn CR 112 CR 33 21 Streamside Wood Shop R 12 CR 8 Hilltop Hickory Furniture 13 LAMB Woodworking CR 10 CR 10 20 Stoney Acres Woodworking CR 10 12 Interior Hardwoods CR 16 CR 37 19 Silverline Gameroom CR 108 Furniture CR 31 Green Meadow 7 Houses & Feeders 18 Schwartz Woodworking CR 8 CR 27 SR 15 6 Goshen Lawn Furniture CR 35 CR SR 120 SR 120 31 17 Schwartz Creations 1 CR 8 5 Fireside Log Furniture CR 30 CR 35 16 River Woodworking SR 120 4 F & N Woodworking CR 26 CR 131 CR 29 15 R.H. Yoder Woodworking 3 D&E Workshop CR 20 CR 4 14 Lambright Country Chimes 2 Custom Woodfinishing BRISTOL CR 133 CR 33 29 CR CR 4 1 Curveside Wood Products 750N 300W 450 300N 400E 325E 500E 200E 450E 300E SR 9 100E 300E 200E 400S 400S 450S 450S 050W 00EW map of 400E WOLCOTTVILLE WOLCOTTVILLE 800S 1200N WHOLESALE FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers 13 550E 500E 200E SR 9 600S 700S 800S 1200N 525S 550S 550S 075W 200W 200W 300W 400W 350S 500S 16 700S 700S 500W 600W 25 550S 8 100E 00EW 200W 250W 300W 400W 600W 500W 9 23 450S 075W 700W 675W 700W 4 550S 800S 1200N 300S 9 SR 5 SR 9 100W 250W 300W 375W 300S 500S 500S TOPEKA 275S SR 5 600S 700S 200S 350S 400S 400E 400W 200S 350S 600S 900W 400E 215W 350W 450W 500W 600W 700W SR 5 850W 150S 200S 650S 100S 100S 550S 1000N LAGRANGE 25S 500S 1100N 100N 050N 050N 300S 800S 1200N 150N 150N 100N 300W 625W 600W 12 17 225N 150N 150N 100S 750S 200N 175N 13 050S 400S 250N 100W 250W 300W 400W 450W 500W 700W 675W 735W 850W 200N 400N 400N 300N 275N 14 7 450N 325E 300N 100N 500N 900E 400N 350N 330N 375E HOWE 100E SHIPSHEWANA SR 120 325E 100W 400W N SR 120 400N 425N 600N 575N 11 450N 650E 600N 100E 250W 650N SR 9 850 W 675W 450W SR 5 SR 120 500N SR 5 5 525W 725W 775W 600N 700N 550W 675W 700N 650N 850W 300W 800W 6 750N Quality Tables for All Occasions More than 30 styles to choose from Leslin Hall Seat Madison Table With a manufacturing facility of nearly 10,000 square feet, we can meet your needs. In business since 1996 Occasionals, Plasmas, Bookcases, Dining Tables and more Lakewood Collection 14 Jacob & Loretta Kuhns / 1540N 500W Shipshewana, IN 46565 / Ph. 260-768-7048 / Fax 260-768-7749 Mission & traditional furniture Sam & Ruby Beechy 9360W 400S, Topeka, IN 46571 P. 260-593-0567 F. 260-593-0568 In business since 2001 Jelly Cupboards, Plasma Stands, Pie Safes, Pantries, 3-Door Midway Mission Bookcase Bookcases Honeybell Bookcase and more 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers 15 A Classic look for your Office Ensinada Series Executive & Computer Desks | Bookcases | Credenzas | File Cabinets Berkley Rolltop Desk 16 Arts & Crafts Desk 5580 W 200 N | Shipshewana, IN 46565 Phone: 260.768.7992 | Fax: 260.768.4792 Truly unique windchimes with a lifetime warranty to be enjoyed for years to come! With 28 different tones and 8 colors to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect addition to your home or garden. The soft, lulling tones will encourage meditation and personal serenity. 8340W U.S. 20, Unit 3 • Shipshewana, IN 46565 P. 260-768-9138 • F. 260-768-9183 LLC Engrave the windcatcher with names, wedding dates or memorials for a gift that will be treasured and cherished! A gentle breeze and a Lambright Country Chime creates a festival for the ears 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers Handcrafted! 17 BEDROOMS OF YOUR dreams Located in the heart of Northern Indiana’s Amish woodworking region, Merl & Ruby Stoltzfus have been producing quality hardwood bedroom furniture since 2003. Streamside Wood Shop offers 15 styles to choose from, which are built in a variety of different species of hardwoods. Attention to detail and design sets us apart from other builders. 100% customer satisfaction is our goal. 15 Styles of Bedroom Furniture, from Modern to Mission 18 Merl & Ruby Stoltzfus • 2275 N 925 W • Shipshewana, IN 46565 • 260.768.7887 • Fax: 260.768.7374 • streamside@pcfreemail.com Index of Businesses – Alphabetical Pg Advertiser Phone Number Pg Advertiser Phone Number 4 Curveside Wood Products.................574-825-3263 17 Lambright Country Chimes..............260-768-9138 60988 CR 43, Middlebury, IN 46540 8340W US 20, Unit 3, Shipshewana, IN 46565 19 Custom Woodfinishing......................574-642-1213 2R.H. Yoder Woodworking..................574-825-6183 10870 CR 44, Millersburg, IN 46543 2375S 1100W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 4 D&E Workshop.................................... 260-593-0195 9River Woodworking........................... 260-593-3005 9680W 700S, Topeka, IN 46571 1755W 700S, Wolcottville, IN 46795 5 F&N Woodworking....................................260-463-8938 20 Schwartz Creations............................. 260-768-7478 2105W 450S, LaGrange, IN 46761 1475N 500W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 9Fireside Log Furniture...................... 260-562-3064 15 Schwartz Woodworking.....................260-593-3193 4810S 950W, Millersburg, IN 46543 5855W 600N, Shipshewana, IN 46565 11 Goshen Lawn Furniture.....................574-642-3596 64885 County Rd 33, Goshen, IN 46528 6Silverline Gameroom Furniture......574-825-7756 10635 County Rd 28, Middlebury, IN 46540 17 Green Meadow Houses & Feeders..........260-768-7863 6Stoney Acres Woodworking........260-768-4367 x 1 0725N 840W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 11 Hilltop Hickory Furniture................260-593-2421 3341W 1200N, Ligonier, IN 46767 20 Hochstetler Lawn Furniture............ 260-593-0105 11811N 600W-57, Topeka, IN 46571 15 Honeybee Furniture.......................... 260-593-0567 9360W 400S, Topeka, IN 46571 4Hoosier Heirlooms..............................260-562-2220 2685S 1000W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 18 Streamside Wood Shop.......................260-768-7887 2275N 925W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 10 Superior Woodcrafts......................... 574-825-4692 112 Industrial Pkwy East, Middlebury, IN 46540 24 Townline Furniture........................... 260-463-0113 4425S 00 EW, LaGrange, IN 46761 4665N 450W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 11 Triple F Furniture...............................765-886-1406 10961 N Centerville Rd., Williamsburg, IN 467393 14 Interior Hardwoods............................260-768-7048 10 Woodside Woodworks..................260-499-3220 x 1 1540N 500W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 4795S 200W, Wolcottville, IN 46795 16 LAMB Woodworking........................... 260-768-7992 5580W 200N, Shipshewana, IN 46565 WHEN CLEANING FURNITURE Many polishing and waxing products on the market tout their abilities to keep furniture finishes looking like new. But experienced finishers are adamant about one thing: Never use a polish that contains silicone. Silicone interacts with the existing finish in a way that makes it almost impossible to refinish it should there ever be a need to do so. Refinishing after a silicone polish has been used results in a flawed finish. The best possible fluid for cleaning a finish is warm tap water. Some finishers recommend adding a bit of a mild detergent. Avoid any harsh soaps or anything with abrasives. (574) 642-0531 Fax (574) 642-4680 WE FINISH All Types of Furniture Chairs, Tables Etc. Joseph Yoder 10870 County Rd 44 Millersburg IN 46543 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers AVOID SILICONE Custom Woodfinishing 19 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers 20 Full Line of Lawn Furniture! Gliders • Chairs • Swings • Arbors Picnic Tables • Wishing Wells Constructed from poly vinyl and cedar. Send for our free catalog or CD! Kits Available 11811N 600W-57 / Topeka, IN 46571 / Ph. 260-593-0105 / Fax 260-593-0134 FEATURED BUILDER Merl Stotlzfus — Streamside Wood Shop by Dan Byler Merl Stoltzfus grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Indiana with two older brothers, one older sister and one sister younger than him. His father, as is typical of many Old Order Amish farmers, did some woodworking to build needed items for their own family’s use. Merl wouldn’t have minded having a farm of his own once he grew up, but as is fairly common in this Northern Indiana Amish community, he had two older brothers ahead of him, and only one farm in the family. When Merl got his first job at a factory around age seventeen, his father sold the dairy cows since he no longer had any sons at home available to help with the chores. Merl spent the next twelve years working in a factory. During that time he built his first bedroom set for his girlfriend Ruby, at the age of nineteen. She is now his wife of eighteen years. “That bedroom suite is not something I show to potential customers now,” Merl chuckles, “But it is still in use in one of my daughter’s bedroom. I didn’t have the tools then that I do today.” The itch to do something different, to be more in control of his own destiny, grew stronger for Merl as time went on. He asked his brother Mark, who was building living room furniture such as occasional tables, desks and bookshelves, what he thought about Merl going into furniture building as well. Mark told him he thought there would be room in the area for a bedroom furniture builder and that he had a design in mind that he’d like to see built. That original style was Shaker Hill, a style that at that time was “hot as all get out!” Merl says it is still a good seller today. He built that first prototype in his brother Mark’s shop in the fall of 2002, and it is currently still in use in Mark’s master bedroom. Before migrating to his brother’s house, that bedroom suite was on the expo floor at the Northern Indiana Woodworkers Association Furniture Expo in the spring of 2003. Greatly exceeding Merl’s expectations, it garnered enough 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers 21 2015 Hear t land Di rec tor y of W holesa le F u r n it u re Manu fac t u rers attention that he picked up orders for 18 sets! That was a lot more than he had anticipated and he wasn’t sure about his next steps. Friends and family encouraged him to keep working at the factory to start with and build these pieces during his evenings and weekends. “They told me that these are just showroom floor models; the dealers will wait for you to get them done. They don’t all have to be done right away. I finished those orders from that first show just before my first reorders came in.” That fall Stoltzfus designed a second bedroom suite, the first one on his own. That style was his Modesto line, a Mission type. Late in 2003, Merl and Ruby both turned in their notices at their places of employment on the same day and took the plunge into full time development of Streamside Wood Shop and being fully dependent on their own business. He had two choices in 22 his booth at the furniture expo in the Spring of 2004 to show to potential dealers. He added a new style each year for the next four or five years, and then increased that to come up with two new styles per year after that. By the fall of 2004, Merl hired his first employee to help him keep up with orders. Currently Streamside Wood Shop has three employees that work with Merl. “We currently manufacture sixteen styles of bedroom furniture. I have discontinued only three lines because they just didn’t work out. I usually start thinking about new designs immediately after the annual furniture expo. This is not something you want to be pushed for time on! Sometimes dealers will give me ideas of something they would like to see. Sometimes I work with a hutch or table builder to create a line of bedroom furniture to match a style they are producing. That way we can market whole house packages.” “I have a folder I put all my ideas into. Last year I had an idea that I started with and it kept changing as I incorporated some new elements over the past several months. That idea has turned into a new line of furniture for this year that is completely different than what I first started sketching out last spring!” Merle’s infectious smile and interest in those around him have helped him build a base of loyal customers. “Developing relationships with your dealers is one of the most important things any builder should work on. Getting to know them and having them get to know you will go a long way in establishing a long-lasting loyal relationship. I have taken trips to Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota to meet with some of the dealers that have ordered from me. I am getting ready for a fifth ‘Meet the Builder’ day with a store in Houston, Texas. The customers love getting to meet an Amish builder and I am basically there to talk to their customers... and of course, help him sell furniture for a day!” Stoltzfus is quick to add that he gives God all the glory for his success to date. “I certainly don’t have all the answers...in fact, some days I feel as if I don’t have any answers!” He also credits the support of family and friends as they made the plunge into becoming self-employed. “I wanted to be able to stay home with the family. Owning a business, while you take a chance on financial ruin, also offers the possibility for being a financial blessing. The sky is the limit...it’s up to me! When I was working in the factory I saw guys getting too old to keep up with the pace. They were given a Stanley knife and essentially put out to pasture. I didn’t want that to happen to me. With my own business, I have something I can either pass on to my children, or have something to sell and to retire on.” From the look of the addition that was just added onto his shop, giving him a reception area, a break room, some office space and a warehouse area, it appears Merl isn’t really thinking about slowing down just yet. 1974 Merl born, 4th child & 3rd son of an Amish dairy family. 1991-1992 Starts working in a factory. 1993-1994 Builds bedroom suite for Ruby. FALL 1996 Marries Ruby Ann Lambright. SPRING 2001 Moves to current location. FALL 2001 Moves into their newly built current house. Itches to do something other than factory work. FALL 2002 Builds prototype Shaker Hill bedroom suite in his brother Mark’s woodworking shop. SPRING 2003 Shows suite at Expo. The original prototype is in his brother’s master bedroom. SUMMER 2003 Builds 85 pieces of Shaker Hill line in the evenings and Saturdays while still working at the factory. FALL 2003 Develops his second furniture style: Modesto (Mission). WINTER 2003-2004 Merl and Ruby both quit their jobs and plunge full time into developing Streamside Wood Shop. 2004 First daughter born. FALL 2004 Hires first employee. 2006 Addition onto his shop for more production space. 2007 Second daughter born. First year going to expo with two new designs, has had two new each year since. 2011 Third daughter born. 2014 Adds a reception area, office space, break room, and warehouse area. 2015 Up to 16 different styles of bedroom furniture. 23 Heartland Directory LaGwana Printing, Inc. PO Box 70 Shipshewana, IN 46565 2015 Heartland Directory of Wholesale Furniture Manufacturers Prsrt Std U.S. Postage Pd. Shipshewana, IN Permit No. 22
