The Schoenbauer family has been in the business of restoring furniture for many, many years. Today, Bill Schoenbauer III and his family represent the fourth generation of Schoenbauer's to work in the furniture restoration business. Over the years, Schoenbauer’s has gained an impressive reputation for quality craftsmanship.
In 1896, a German immigrant named Carl Schoenbauer came to America and became a carpenter. Carl taught woodworking to his son Frank who became a cabinetmaker and later a furniture repairman. Frank then had a son Francis who learned cabinet making with his father. After World War II Francis saw the need for a company that could take care of the damage caused by moving vanlines. He began a company providing service to Smith Transfer and Storage. Soon, other firms sought out his expertise.
During the fifties and sixties Americans became very mobile. As people moved around – Francis’ little repair firm quickly grew. When Francis’ son Francis Jr. became of age he followed in his fathers footsteps and eventually took over the business. By this time, other transit companies and private individuals were also coming to the Schoenbauers for their furniture repair, restoration and refinishing needs.
Jr’s son Francis William (Bill) Schoenbauer III, followed right into the family tradition and apprenticed with his father. Then in 1991, he wanted to expand the in-home repair service to provide complete furniture restoration and refinishing. Bill and his wife Debbie founded what is now Schoenbauer Furniture Service Inc. In 1996 they bought a warehouse in Charlotte Hall where they could bring items that could not be fixed on site. In 1999, Francis William Schoenbauer II came out of retirement and now works part time with his son. Bill Schoenbauer III’s brother Mike also learned the trade and currently heads up the finishing department.
Demand for the company’s service continues to grow. Schoenbauer Furniture Service has expanded their services and now offers restoration for fire and water damage claims for insurance companies. Services expanded to non-wood items such as leather and ceramics. Recently business came from as far as South Africa. The list of Schoenbauer Furniture Restoration clientele is vast. The customer list includes corporations, senators, government agencies, antique collectors, art collectors and embassies as well as every day people who just want to take care of their belongings. Recently, a $20,000 Vase was sent brought into the shop in 20 pieces. Five days later it was delivered back to a very happy customer. The Vase had not only been saved, there was no visible evidence that it was ever broken. Schoenbauer road techs provide much more than repairing dents and scratches. They have been sent in to refinish lobbies, elevators and hearing rooms, all on site; they also provide damage and repair reports to transit and insurance adjusters.
The Schoenbauer team is almost 30 strong, with over 200 years of combined experience.
You can’t go wrong with 4th generation craftsmanship.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members Of:
- Better Business Bureau
- Claims Prevention & Procedure Council
- National Federation of Independent Businesses
- American Institute for Conservation
- Restoration Center Hotline, Inc.