By Richard Zowie
Leader Staff Writer
There’s a new business in town, and to find it, simply follow the scent of freshly-handcrafted wood.
Amish Attic Furniture, located downtown at 17 South Washington, has been open for about two weeks and prides itself on quality, handcrafted furniture products at affordable prices.
As the name indicates, all the furniture built is made completely by Amish craftsmen in Ohio, said Tom Marvaso, who co-owns the business with Nick Kuzatko. The furniture, which ranges from tables, dressers, sofas, and beds, are made completely from solid wood such as oak, maple, hickory, cherry or walnut. None of the furniture contains Formica or pressed wood, and it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
‘The Amish community is well known for its craftsmanship,? said Marvaso. ‘We provide a second-to-none product at a very affordable price using the best furniture builders in the country. Handcrafted Amish furniture lasts a lifetime.?
If you go into the store and see that something you like isn’t quite the size you need, no worries. Furniture can be ordered to a customer’s desired dimensions.
AAF’s other location is in Warren, and according to Marvaso, the decision to open a second location in Oxford stemmed from the amount of time spent in this area. They had many customers in Warren who were from Oxford.
‘While delivering here, we fell in love with the area and its small-town feel,? Marvaso recalled.
The two co-owners were convinced they made the right decision to open a second location here from the reception they received during Celebrate Oxford. ‘We met lots of people,? Marvaso said. ‘Everyone seemed excited to see us, and we could see that everyone supports each other.?
At AAF, they sell mostly tables and chairs but also offer furniture for every room in the house. For Marvaso, selling the furniture helps them to add a special touch and develop close relationships with their customers. They pride themselves in making the tables that families will sit down at to have dinner together, along with the beds that parents will tuck their children into.
‘That’s the joy we get from this business’the personal connection with customers,? Marvaso said. ‘We’ve had customers we’ve fished and hunted with and have become friends with them over the years.?
For one customer, they had a customized cedar chest built as an anniversary gift for his wife, and AAF was there when she opened her gift.AAF began about 12 years ago when Kuzatko’s father and grandfather bought furniture from the Amish, became very satisfied customers and realized how well the furniture could sell. They got into business with the Amish, and the furniture sold rapidly.
However, neither Kuzatko nor Marvaso are Amish. In fact, at the Oxford AAF there is electricity and a telephone.
‘The Amish who build the furniture have no telephone, so communication can be a challenge at times,? Marvaso said.
For more information about the Oxford store, call 248-236-8476. Their business hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.