Meet the People Behind the Barrels!
Dennis – The Creative One!
Hi! I'm Dennis, co-owner of Green Oaks Custom WoodWorks and the guy you'll usually find in the garage covered in sawdust!
After serving in the Marine Corps, I spent 27 years in law enforcement, retiring as a police lieutenant.
I've always had a passion for artistic design and creating things with my hands. Now I get to spend my time doing what I love…transforming bourbon barrels into furniture, home accents, and whatever else our customers dream up!
One of my favorite things is taking an idea and figuring out how to bring it to life. And sometimes I even have a little help from my grandson, who's becoming quite the expert at cutting and sanding!
And I’m Shari – The Other Half!
While Dennis is busy creating, I'm usually working behind the scenes or meeting customers at our shows. I love getting to know people, hearing their ideas, and helping them find that perfect piece for their home or a special gift.
Fun Fact: Dennis and I met in a bar, we now own a bourbon barrel business...and I don't even drink bourbon! But I do have a soft spot for something else…library card catalogs!
My love for them goes all the way back to childhood. Imagine my disappointment when I started graduate school and discovered that those wonderful wooden cabinets had disappeared from libraries!
So naturally, we had to make restoring and refinishing vintage card catalogs part of our business. We've sold our restored pieces to retail shops and, believe it or not, a library!
A Little More About Us
Dennis and I have been married for 38 years and have three adult children and one grandson. Dennis is the craftsman. I'm a school psychologist by day and his business partner the rest of the time!
What started with Dennis' love of creating has grown into something we both enjoy. We get to work together, meet wonderful people, and create pieces that are as unique as the people who order them.
And if you happen to see us at a show, please stop by and say hello. We'd love to meet you!