Hardwood Artisans to open plant in Culpeper

Hardwood Artisans is moving its Woodbridge manufacturing plant to Culpeper County with the doors set to open in November.

The custom hardwood furniture manufacturer will move to a 41,000 square foot building in Culpeper Industrial Airpark at Elkwood. While many existing employees are expected to relocate, the expansion is expected to generate up to 20 job openings.

“It’s not a big operation but I think a community like Culpeper is much better served by several smaller businesses rather than one large business because their health dictates the economy,” said Carl Sachs, director of Culpeper Department of Economic Development.

“It’s going to occupy a building that’s currently vacant…you never want to see a lot of vacant commercial buildings in your community,” he said.

The company is confident in its ability to contribute positively to the community.

“On behalf of everyone at Hardwood Artisans, we are looking forward to becoming a part of the Culpeper community and learning everything it has to offer. I believe Hardwood Artisans and Culpeper have a lot to offer one another,” said Julianne Yurek, director of marketing.

The company has planned several community social events, and with a primarily D.C. Metropolitan-area customer base, they plan to encourage patronizing local businesses.

“I would like to personally invite anyone and everyone to our woodshop once it opens to tour and learn how we build hardwood furniture to last for generations,” said Yurek. “We like to have a culture with our customers where they can come down and talk to us.”

Board of Supervisors chairman, Bill Chase, feels the plant will benefit the local economy.

“It gives employment to the county people and their products give a name to Culpeper and might attract other people,” Chase said. “The more good industries we get in here, the more good industries that are attracted to the area.”

Sachs emphasized the potential benefit to the local housing market.

“We’re pretty much flooded with a lot of homes that are available for sale. It’s a vehicle people are going to use to move into the community and hopefully buy up some of that housing stock,” said Sachs.

The company, founded in 1976, has showrooms in Alexandria, Fairfax, Rockville, Shirlington and Woodbridge with plans for a Culpeper showroom when the plant opens. All furniture is manufactured and finished at internal facilities.

“I think this business is a good fit in Culpeper because we put a lot of stake in history and tradition and this business is steeped in tradition,” said Sachs.