In 1993, George DesChamps had an idea to build some small trunks as a keepsake for his grandchildren. The project required a large amount of oak lumber which George found to be a little too pricey at the local lumberyards. He contacted his son-in-law, Bill Barrett, to find out if Bill had any suggestions for purchasing the oak. Bill, a woodworker by hobby, remembered a craftsman in Lugoff , South Carolina who occasionally sold wood remnants from his projects.
Bill and George visited with the woodworker and purchased the oak for George’s project. During the visit, Bill was amazed at the craftsman’s expertise in building beautiful doors from plain board lumber. During their discussion, the craftsman told Bill he was looking for a helper and Bill wasted no time asking for the job.
Two of the things George believed strongly was you’re never too old to follow your dream and coffee can never be too strong or too sweet. After two years of apprenticing at night and working for DuPont by day, the craftsman decided to retire. With George’s encouragement, Bill decided to follow his dream and bought the business. Thus, Southern Custom Doors was born.
For the first couple of years, the business grew slowly and Bill continued working part-time. In 2000, the business had outgrown the original small shop and moved to a larger shop location. Finally, Bill was able to quit his day job and hire his first employee.
Southern Custom Doors outgrew its second location six years later. In August 2006, the business moved to its current location at 409 Larch Road . We employ local craftsmen who take great pride in building what we like to consider “furniture on hinges.”
Sadly, George passed away in September of 2006 and was never able to visit the new location of Southern Custom Doors. With his encouragement, Bill entered into his apprenticeship all those years ago and proved George right – you are never too old to follow your dream.
George is never far from our thoughts, though. Each day as the halogen lights slowly illuminate the dark corners of the shop and the machines yawn to life with electric current, there’s always a strong pot of coffee being brewed in the office. As we drink our first cup of coffee, though maybe not with as much sugar as George would have liked, we remember him with much love and gratitude.