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 In 1966 Norman and Joanna Schanz opened Schanz Furniture and Refinishing in West Amana, Iowa. Norman started the business in the basement of his family’s home, by repairing and refinishing friends' furniture. As time went on, the reputation of Norman’s work grew and spread by word of mouth.
People then began to ask Norman to reproduce some of the furniture he was refinishing, which led him into making new furniture. At first this was something he did at nights and on weekends, until he had enough work to leave his full-time job and start his own business. Norman became the fifth generation of woodworkers in the Schanz family. Earlier Schanz woodworkers include Johnnes (1803 - 1870), John (1850 - 1926), George (1887 - 1965), and Harry (1912 - 1991). In 1997 Norman’s son Mike began working in the family business full-time, becoming the sixth generation of Schanz woodworkers. Today Mike has three sons who may someday choose to become woodworkers. Today, Schanz Furniture and Refinishing is located one-half mile east of South Amana, Iowa, on Highway 6 in the historic Amana Colonies. We continue to repair and refinish old furniture as well as build new Amana Colony-style furniture and custom, made-to-order furniture in your choice of woods. Norman and Joanna are also responsible for reviving two traditional crafts in the Amana Colonies: broom making and willow basketry. Broom-making by hand, on an antique “kicker” broom machine, can be observed at the Schanz Broom and Basket Shop in West Amana. Handmade baskets made from reed or traditional willows by local weavers, are available at both Broom and Basket Shops in West Amana or Main Amana. |
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