Simply Amish founder Kevin, Store Owner Mark Carpenter, and Manager Tyrel Irwin
Simply Amish announced tha in July it once again celebrated the expansion of its licensed-store program with the grand opening of a store in Edmonton, AB Canada. Which is owned and operated by Mark Carpenter.
“This economy has hit the furniture business hard,” Simply Amish cofounder Kevin Kauffman said. “But that’s when companies like us have an advantage. We continue to do the things that have given us a sought-after product for several generations: supplying the best quality of furniture available and providing the best possible service to our customers.”
With exports to Canada growing for the third straight year by more than 45%, this licensed store is a huge step forward for Simply Amish. While Simply Amish has sold its extensive line of solid-wood furniture to hundreds of furniture retailers in North America for more than 30 years, this licensed store that opened last month represents the tenth of its kind, and the third in Canada. Its 4,700-square-feet of showroom is at 2840 Calgary Trail, Edmonton, AB Canada T6J 6V7.
Continuing in the Simply Amish tradition each piece of furniture has been signed by the craftsman himself, just like any other master artist would.
“When people go in our stores, they are always amazed at the quality and style of our furniture and how many choices they have,” Kauffman said. “That’s because everything is made by hand, can be customized, and is held to a standard that impresses the most discerning of customers, even the Amish.”
Other locations that operate under the Simply Amish License Program include Rockford and Champaign in Illinois, Indianapolis, IN, Davenport, IA, Overland Park, KS, Albuquerque NM, Salt Lake City UT, and Courtenay and Parksville, BC, Canada.
Simply Amish furniture is still made by authentic Amish craftsmen, working on more than 50 family farms scattered throughout the heartland of America. Most are small family shops with only four or five craftsmen, while some shops might employ as many as 30 skilled workers.
Regardless of the size, tradition still dictates the construction of every design. Each piece of lumber is still cut, shaped, sanded and stained by seasoned hands, using a keen eye to eliminate any imperfections and bring out the natural beauty of rich maple, solid oak and other select hardwoods.
“Over the last 30 years the firm has transitioned from being mainly a wholesale company, to a company dedicated to designing quality furniture, while still sourcing production through the local Amish community,” Kauffman said, “ensuring each new product is exclusive to Simply Amish.” The commitment to being the best Amish Manufacturer in the market prompted Simply Amish to introduce seven new furniture lines this summer — further expanding its offering of contemporary furniture, along with strengthening its core: mission and traditional furniture lines. This move has further reinforced their slogan: “Many Styles. One Standard.”