Daily Record Article

Name: Family Heirloom Restorations, 158 W. Clinton St., Dover
Phone: (973) 366-6636
Service: Refaces kitchens and restores fine furniture
Web site: www.heirloom restorationstoo.com
Staff: three
Average cost: $10,000 to $20,000

James Matar graduated Fairleigh Dickinson University 25 years ago with a degree in industrial engineering but never sent out a resume. Instead, he joined his father and established a reputation as a master woodworker.

Why chose Family Heirloom Restorations? "All work is done by me personally. I'm not a boss who sits around and collects the check while somebody else does the work," said the 45-year-old artisan "I enjoy what I do. It wasn't money that got me into this line of work. It was the sheer joy of dealing with wood."

Describe your company: "We are a restoration company," he continued. "We do kitchens using existing hardware. We don't throw away good doors and replace them with plastic ones. In addition, we do dining room tables, coffee tables, beds, antiques, fireplace mantles, any kind of repair you can think of. If it is made out of wood, we can fix it."

Training: "I learned from my dad who was a European craftsman. He believed in doing it right or don't do it all. He passed away in 2001."

Biggest job: "I redid the bar at The Publick House in Chester. I did other restaurants in the area. We do one job at a time. The average job can take six to eight weeks."

Fun project: "I did a series of chairs which were designed by celebrities, including the Giants, Yankees, Jets and Mets. They were auctioned off for charity and brought in quite a bit of money. There is a part of me in every work that I do."

Clients: "We don't advertise as much as some of the competition. We rely more on word of mouth. My customers are very loyal."

Advice: "I call the type of furniture you buy in a store temporary furniture. It's not built very well and will not last. There is no quality. I am a craftsman. The furniture I build can be handed down from generation to generation. I learned from my dad there are no shortcuts."

Green building: "We are saving the environment. We save wood we don't throw it out. This type of work is in my genes. That's why we excel at it. We restore furniture for future generations."

Open for Business is a regular feature about new and small businesses in Morris County. It was reported by John Kippycash.