Sheboygan entrepreneurs back to woodworking thanks to Schmitt family
Long-time woodworkers are now based out of Jos. Schmitt Construction Company's Carpenter Shop at the Sheboygan Business Center
SHEBOYGAN — Due to the generosity of a local family, two Sheboygan woodworkers are back to doing what they love.
When the EBCO Venture Center on Erie Avenue was forced to closed in April due to building code violations, two local long-time entrepreneurs faced an uncertain future. Steve Schmitt, President of Jos. Schmitt Construction Company, stepped up to find them a new home. Schmitt reached out to the owners of Eagle Woodworking and River Bend Cabinetry to offer them rent-free space in his company’s Carpenter Shop at Gateway Drive and Behrens Parkway.
“A long history of mill work,” said Schmitt when asked what these skilled craftsman mean to Sheboygan. “We are here to help them and we want them to end their career on a good note.” He added that giving back to the community is what his family does. The pair of entrepreneurs are extremely grateful for Schmitt’s generosity.
“No doubt, the Schmitt’s are the most wonderful people we’ve ever met,” said Willie Nielson, owner of River Bend Cabinetry. “He has been building custom kitchen cabinetry and bathroom vanities for 30 years. Nielson started River Bend inside the EBCO Venture Center and the nearby Sheboygan River was the inspiration for the River Bend name. Before starting his company, Nielson was one of 180 employees at Thonet Furniture in Sheboygan before it suffered a devastating fire in April 1982.
Randy Beyer, owner of Eagle Woodworking, was the first person Tim Ebenreiter leased space to in EBCO. “I was totally shocked and bewildered by the whole situation,” said Beyer when he learned he would have to leave the building. He has been building custom chairs, bar stools and furniture for the past 34 years. Beyer worked at R-Way Furniture and Richardson before starting his own company. For the last 15 years, he has been building chairs for Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California.
Born and raised in Sheboygan, Beyer learned how to use power tools at a very young age and helped his father build houses. A year after Horace Mann Middle School opened in 1970, he was able to learn additional skills in the brand new woodshop classroom. Beyer and Nielson credit shop classes in the public schools for their careers. When the school first opened, the Horace Mann Industrial Arts Department was one of the best in the state.
“A total blessing, an answer to my prayers,” said Beyer when Schmitt offered him and Nielson space in the Carpenter Shop at no cost. Another benefit of the new space is air conditioning. Nielson and Beyer had worked without air conditioning on Erie Avenue.
Located at the Sheboygan Business Center, the Jos. Schmitt Construction Carpenter Shop and Warehouse was built in 1996. Vinyl Plastics Incorporated (VPI) opened the 17,588-square-foot building for its medical supplies division. Fifth Generation Properties, which is owned by Ryan Schmitt, Neil Schmitt, Christine Schmitt, Erin Schmit, Jessica Schmitt Renolds and Lauren Schmitt, purchased the building in 2018 and leases it to Jos. Schmitt Construction Co.
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