Conrad Wempe is the master of wood. When it comes to furniture, Conrad and Joyce Wempe build to last from generation to generation.
The Wempes own C&J Woodworks and make fine furniture that is meant to become heirlooms. Their craftsmanship and charity work earned them a merit award through the Kansas Department of Commerce as a part of Business Appreciation Month.
Conrad Wempe started building furniture in college.
“I couldn’t afford to buy what I wanted so I started building it,” Wempe said.
From there, friends started asking him to fix their furniture. Then a friend offered him space in a workshop. He had enough money to pay the first month’s rent and he started building furniture during nights and weekends. He worked at Kanza Corporation at the time. In January 2003, he got laid off.
“We didn’t want to move so we decided to jump in full time,” Wempe said.
For the complete story see the Gazette print edition or the online print edition at http://www.emporiagazette.com/pdf. To subscribe to the print edition or the online print edition go to http://www.emporiagazette.com/subscribe.