Nut Tree got its name from the English translation of "Nussbaum," the Swiss-German surname of owners and operators Ray and Joan. Also, much of the furniture handcrafted at the furniture store is from oak and walnut lumber -- both nut trees.

After growing up on a farm and working in a feed mill and a different furniture company, Ray realized he loved building furniture and loved building it well ... the high-quality, old-fashioned way.

The Nut Tree furniture store was started back in 1981, a short distance from where it is now. Business was good, as the quality furniture became well received, and in less than ten years, Ray needed to expand.

"We looked for someplace with more land and better exposure on a main road," Joan said. "Now, we're here on Kidron Road, a vital link between US 30 and US 250, and we get a lot of customers coming in on their way to and from Kidron."

All the beautifully handcrafted wooden furniture sold at the store is made on site by Amish craftsmen. Smaller craft and gift items come from a variety of sources -- many local -- and the upholstered pieces are made in Iowa.

manufactures a full line of bedroom and dining room furniture, kitchen tables and chairs, occasional pieces plus a line of office furniture.

"Bedroom furniture is probably our biggest seller," Ray said. "Our 'Riverside' group is our most popular, along with our sleigh beds. No one else uses the special method we use to craft our sleigh beds."

"And don't forget the computer armoires," Joan interjected. "They're really good sellers, too."

Ray showed me the computer armoire Joan had referred to, and believe me, it's nothing short of fantastic. I think they've thought of everything. This beautiful piece has a double pull-out shelf -- one for your keyboard and one for your papers or books.

"This way," Ray explained, "when you're closing it up at the end of the day, you can leave your project papers just where they were instead of having to put them away, only to get them back out when you come back to work."

Recessed lighting in the crown of the armoire is activated by just the touch of the finger, and not only lights the work area, but, when the doors are closed, the beautiful raised door panels, as well! A hanging-file drawer, plus room for your computer tower, scanner and printer are included beneath your keyboard area. The upper section has space for your monitor plus shelves for books. If you have to work, you might as well work in style and with efficiency!

Nut Tree also creates custom furniture. Bring in your ideas and dimensions, and Ray will make a computer-generated drawing for your approval. It may take up to six months for completion, but it will be worth the wait to get just what you wanted.

Nut Tree will repair any furniture they have made.

"We had a case where someone was having their room painted, and the painter spoiled the top of a table. We refinished it, and it was as good as new," Ray said.

Nut Tree's main customer base comes from Cuyahoga, Stark, Wayne and Medina counties, Joan said, but actually, they see shoppers from the whole northern section of Ohio and up into Michigan.

"We were contacted by Doughmakers Gourmet Bakeware in Terre Haute, Indiana, about outfitting their new corporate offices," she continued. "We ended up sending a semi-truck full of office furniture."

Ray related another story of how Nut Tree furniture was sent to Indiana.

"A couple from Akron had purchased some bedroom and living room furniture from us," Ray said. "Later, they moved to Indianapolis. The gentleman called me and said he had a problem -- not with the furniture we'd made for him, but he couldn't find any more out there with the same quality he'd gotten here! He and his wife kept looking at other furniture stores in Indiana, but kept saying, 'We just have to go back to Nut Tree; it's the only way to solve our problem.'"

So, the following Saturday, the couple made the trek from Indianapolis and ended up ordering a whole houseful of furniture. Problem solved!

It's the little things -- usually not visible -- that make Nut Tree's furniture better than the rest. They do the little things differently. When you walk in the door at Nut Tree, you'll find a cut-away version of a chest, showing you all the quality details that are handcrafted the Amish way. Ray will be glad to explain these to you, and I think then you'll be sold on Nut Tree's way of doing things.

Whether you live just down the road or drive into Amish Country from miles away, be sure to make Nut Tree your number one stop for furniture. And while you're there, tell them you read this in Amish Heartland magazine.

Nut Tree, 2877 Kidron Rd., PO Box 207, Kidron, OH 44636 (1 mi. N of Kidron), (330) 857-7685 or toll-free (888) NUT-TREE, www.nuttreefurniture.com; hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.