Only in America... |
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 Art & Susan Barber, founders and owners of Charleston Forge.
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I really enjoy telling the story of how Susan and I started our "official business lives" in 1974 by opening a retail store when I was only 23 and she was even younger. Charleston Forge actually evolved from that store ten years later. Mouths drop open and eyes get bigger (some with tears) when we share the tales of those humble beginnings. It's a pretty incredible story of pride, determination, gambles and sacrifices, and how we surrounded ourselves with talented craftsmen and women who share the same desire to be creative and please you as was Susan and I. Perhaps some day we'll write a book and call it, "We Don't Do Ordinary". For now, we'll just share tid-bits with you through our social networking buttons. We hope you will enjoy and pass them on to your friends. Making beautiful furniture in America is our passion. Not a day goes by that we don't recognize how fortunate we are to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and come to work every day right along side true artisans who were raised in these rugged hills and who take great pride in everything they do. Whether they are forging hot metal or hand-planing a solid wood table top, you can see and feel a sense of hand in every piece they make. There are no high speed production lines -- each piece is made one at a time, by hand. Our furniture is beautiful and it is designed to be used -- not pampered. And speaking of "not pampered", not only do we make residential furniture, we make furniture for restaurants, hotels, resorts, assisted living facilities, offices, conference rooms, kitchen cabinet suppliers, granite and marble fabrication houses (who need strong bases to support their heavy tops). We've made furniture for well known retailers such as Room & Board, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, and Bloomingdales, just to name a few. We even made a custom bed for a famous boxer who had a body almost as big as his ego. Residential interior designers represent the biggest segment of our customer base at this time. They love the fact that we offer customization along with a multitude of wood and metal finishes and a nice selection of designer leathers and fabrics. If you are an end consumer and need help with any segment of your design project, we encourage you to click on "Where To Buy" and let one of our approved agents in your area assist you with your choices. Like us, they aim to please. Thank you for your interest in Charleston Forge. Please visit our website often as we intend to bring you exciting developments as they happen. Our history is in the making. We think you will be as proud to own our furniture as we are to make it. Art Barber, Chairman/CEO
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251 Industrial Park Drive, Boone NC 28607 USA