Cabinet showroom to open in Boardman

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

aluthern@vindy.com

Many things have changed on the west side of Youngstown in 50 years, but Michael’s Cabinet Shop has maintained its tradition of custom wood work.

Now, as the shop prepares to celebrate 50 years of business in 2010, owner Michael Walkowiec will open a showroom on state Route 224 in Boardman this spring called Michael’s Cabinet Designs.

“I’m very excited for this and I think it will go over well,” Walkowiec said. “I’m going out to where my customers are.”

In 1975, Walkowiec, now 52, began learning his trade from his father, Michael, who was from Ukraine and trained by craftsmen in Germany. Walkowiec said initially, he didn’t want to make cabinets.

“I think it was because it was something forced on me, I didn’t really want to do it,” he said. “But I do love it, and there’s nothing better than being your own boss.”

Fifteen years ago, Michael’s Cabinet Shop moved to its current location on Mahoning Avenue. The shop provides cabinet refacing and custom work on everything from cabinets to bookcases. Even though Walkowiec has three part-time employees, he works on every project.

“All of our refacing is done with actual wood,” he said. “There are no laminates or paper-thin veneers used.”

Walkowiec’s business comes mainly from referrals.

“Most people still find out through word of mouth. I’ve done three different kitchens for the same family as they move or a row of houses in one neighborhood,” he said.

Walkowiec is looking forward to working a little closer to home in Boardman, where he currently resides with his wife Crystal and children Delia, 9, and Zenin, 5. He also plans to keep working on all aspects of the business even after the showroom opens.

“It gives me a chance to be creative and design different types of wood works,” Walkowiec said. “It’s a dying art.”