A selection of the furniture and decor items which are available at Johnsons Antique Reproductions/Johnsons Custom Furniture. Courtesy Photo
CORNWALL – Almost halfway between St. Andrews West and Cornwall on Highway 138 there is a place that provides people the chance to purchase quality locally made furniture and decor. Johnsons Antique Reproductions/Johnsons Custom Furniture was founded in 1977 and purchased in 2021 by Michelle and Steven Martin.
A devastating fire at the location in 2021 gave the couple the opportunity to build the business from the ground up. “We ran [the business] in trailers on the site for the first two years, till the new building was ready to occupy in December of 2022,” said Michelle.
Prior to the fire, the business offered locally built pieces. Michelle noted “there hasn’t been antiques in approximately 10 years offered [at the store] for sale.” She continued customers still don’t know that “we build and sell solid wood furniture that is locally made.”
Michelle explained the furniture is made by five local builders that create the furniture in their own shops. People can purchase from existing stock in the store, or if they wish, they can work with the owners to have custom furniture created. On their website located at www.johnsonsantiques.com, there are many images of the furniture available for purchase for any room in the home. The business also sells decor items, such as decorative windows, signs, and decor.
The duo overcome the daily challenges of running a business. They went on to say there is “never two days that are the same.” While they mention that the variety of challenges to be met can be stressful. It would seem however, there is a sense of satisfaction when a customer is happy with their purchase.
Michelle and Steve thanked all their customers that “trust in [them] for building their beautiful furniture.”
More information can be found on their Facebook page and website.
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Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.
