MENDOTA MANTELS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Northwoods Manufacturing Student
This is Tom making a mantel with the off-grid home he built from reclaimed materials on the shore of Lake Superior.
After practicing social work for 32 years, Tom decided to expand his love of trees, art, history, environmental advocacy, and housing into one new love - a business hand making fireplace mantels out of reclaimed antique and aged timbers. He's been at it now since 1999 and says "it's the perfect business for me to combine the things I'm most passionate about into one fun job". " I never grow tired working with my hands making beautiful fireplace mantels from what I call 'sacred wood'. That's pretty darn cool....!". "After almost 20 years doing this, I still think I get a bigger kick out of it then even my most enthusiastic customers
After living in St. Paul, MN for most his life, he recently moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the South Shore of Lake Superior into an "off the grid / green" home and shop he built out of mostly reclaimed materials.
He still travels to The Twin Cities regularly to visit family and friends and of course, to deliver mantels.
Tom says, "This present 2020 line of 60+ mantels, is the biggest and best show I've ever presented at one time". The mantels are divided into two lines. Old Growth Wood Mantels and Mendota Mantels. OGW Mantels are pieces made from historic antique reclaimed timbers. MM are pieces made from air aged newer timbers. "My intention for this show is to present a wide variety of prices and eclectic styles, from refined to rustic that showcase both the unique quality of the material and the best workmanship I can produce".