Our story
It all started with a tree.
- 2014
We bought our century home on Mill Street, built around 1857. What caught our eye was the very large, very old Norway Maple in the front yard.
- 2019
After years of storms dropping branches on the road and driveway, arborists recommended the maple come down. Instead of letting it be hauled away, we had it slabbed by two local millers and began air-drying it.
- 2020
When the March lockdown hit, Rod, a locomotive engineer with Via Rail, suddenly had time on his hands. So many people had asked to buy our wood that he started sourcing more species to offer.
- Today
Over 500 slabs and beams, a Woodmizer XL250, a Nyle professional kiln, and a main operation on a property between Newtonville and Port Hope.
“We couldn't bear the thought of all that beautiful history lining the landfills.”
Meet the owners
Janel & Rod Tutak
The Shoppe is co-owned and run by Janel and Rod from the family home, where they're raising four kids and two dogs. They're happy to help every customer find the perfect piece of wood for their project.
Rod
Friendly, outgoing and knowledgeable. He's your guy for questions about which wood suits your project, and you'll usually find him at the property or on the phone.
Janel
The creative, behind-the-scenes partner. If you've bought one of our pyrography ornaments, that was her work, though she can lug wood with the best of them.