| History of Kitchens
at the Lake
I began my woodworking career in Pennsylvania
at the very early age of 10. Our neighbor, my mentor Jack
Keltner owned a custom cabinet and millword shop. He put me
to work during school vacation in the summer. Every summer
plus weekends were spent learning the trade. My mentor taught
me every phase of hte business at that very early age. At
age 17, when I graduated from High School, he turned the shop
over to me to manage and teach 3 employees what I had learned
from him. I did this until I was 24 years old.
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First business - Hawbaker
& Kuhn Kitchen Center which was located in Chamblersburg,
Penn. We sold the best quality cabinets available, Quaker
Maid cabinets. |
By this time I was married with one child.
It was time to pursue owning my own business. I had a very
solid knowledge of what to do and how to do it. We sold our
house and got together all the cash we could and entered into
a parntership. We named the business Hawbaker & Kuhn Kitchen
Center (pictured to the right) . It was located in Chamblersburg,
Penn. We were a Quaker Maid Kitchen dealer. At that time they
were the best quality cabinets available.
Our partnership was short lived. After only 3.5 years Hawbaker
wanted out, which was fine with me. I took over as sole proprietor
and operated the business for another 5.5 years. The business
had grown to 10 very good employees. We designed, sold and
installed a lot of Kitchens. I was located in a small town
and wanted to expand. The market would not support that move.
One of my best employees Glen Wadel wanted to get into his
own kitchen business, so we worked it out and he took over
the business.
Next big move - the larged Quaker Maid Kitchen dealer and
one of the biggest kitchen dealers in the country was Stuart
Kitchens in Baltimore, MD. They had a multi-million dollar
a year business with around 100 employees.
My wife and 3 children moved to Westminster, MD. I took a
position with Stuart Kitchens as a 100% commission sales/designer.
This was just like owning my own business. All I had to do
was produce, which I did. I became a CKD
(Certified Kitchen Designer) at that
time.
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| Pictured above are two awards received
for high achievement while Les Kuhn worked Stuart Kitchens
in Baltimore, MD. He was one of the top Sales/Designers
out of 20 in the staff. |
The move worked out very well. As one of
Stuart Kitchens 22 Sales/Designers, I was awarded many honors.
In 1987, I ws their best and most consistent sales/designer.
My intention, while with them, was to build a large client
base. I designed and sold around 1,000 or more kitchens to
some very influencial people in the Baltimore, Washington
and Northern Virginia areas.
In 1992 I was no longer with them. I formed my own business
called Kuhn Woodworking. The cabinet company I use is Honey
Brook Custom Cabinets near Lancaster, PA. They produce one
of the finest quality cabinets today. I represent them proudly.
It was a natural for me to go back into my own business since
I had a very large referral base to draw from. I always
made very good friends with the people I did kitchens for;
many of whom I have done 2-3 kitchens over the years. This
speaks highly for the reputation over the many years as a
seasoned veteran. Kuhn Woodworking existed until 2003.
We discovered beautiful Smith Mountain Lake a few years before
2003. We owned a condo and came part time to enjoy the lake.
I said to my wife - "That would be a great place to live
full time." We agreed that I could operate my kitchen
business anywhere. Thus Kitchens at the Lake was formed in
2003.
Well here we are semi-retired. I have no plans to fully retire
because I enjoy helping people with their new kitchens. It
gives me great pleasure fullfilling their dream.
I have seen and experience every phase of
this great kitchen business. It has been a great journey thus
far. I keep my overhead very low by operarting out of my home
at 415 Channelview Dr., Moneta, VA 24121.
My plans are to have Kitchens at the Lake
as long as the Lord blesses me with good health and strength.
I would be honored to have the opportunity to satisfy
your kitchen desires.
Thanks for your interest in learning more about me and my
business career. Also, about Kitchens at the Lake.
Sincerely,
D. Lester Kuhn, CKD
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