Goshen resident Larion Swartendruber created this prairie style 1905 four-door hutch 20 years ago. Photo by Nathan Pace.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

Larion Swartzendruber loves meeting his former students from Bethany Christian as they share their passion for woodworking and the industrial arts. Teaching at Bethany Christian is what brought Swartzendruber and his wife, Nancy, to Goshen.

“I get together with a number of them once a month for breakfast. They reflect on the experience that they had when they were in industrial arts class,” Swartzendruber said. “There is not many of those classes being taught anymore and that is a concern of mine, I think for a lot of people. I think that’s unfortunate.”

The dream of starting his own business became a reality when he earned a contract to build cabinets for an electronic manufacture while he was teaching at Bethany. The work added on a custom furniture business that Swartendruber managed from a renovated barn north of Goshen. After a couple of relocations, Swartendruber had his furniture business in the Chase Bag building. Through a contest to rename the building, Swartendruber found a winner calling it “The Old Bag Factory.” Swartendruber would sell the property in 2010 after managing site for 26 years.

“There has been a lot of change over the years and I have hired people who have skills that go beyond the skills that I have. I try and surround myself with people who bring the desired skills. Not one person can be the best at everything,” Swartendruber said.

His furniture business has shipped products everywhere, including a wooden case that visited the White House when Notre Dame won the 1988 college football championship. His custom furniture was used to renovate Hotel Elkhart in 2020.

He says he enjoys the flexibility he has now with his business while also continuing the relationships he has built.

“I sell to my friends, the way I see it is the friendships start when they make the first contact. That’s the way I treat it and I really, really enjoy that. My customers respond well to that, too. I enjoy the creativity. It gives me energy. This is something that I really enjoy,” Swartzendruber said.

Today, he has more time to play pickleball and travel. Swartzendruber calls himself “semi-retired” as he feels his custom furniture keeps him sharp.

“To work on things that are good for my physical health and mental health and keep learning new things. The business side helps with all that,” Swartzendruber said.

His favorite compliments are the customers who keep calling him for new products over the years. Many are repeat clients he has gotten to know personally, as one couple asked for more custom pieces even after moving out of their house and into a condo.

“I was so pleased to hear that they treasured the pieces that we had built that even though they are in a new stage of life, have some new pieces that they would like to have,” Swartzendruber said.

Swartzendruber also credits having others in his life who share his passion for the longevity of his career.

“Surround yourself with people who enjoy doing the same thing you do,” Swartzendruber said. “It’s important to follow your passions. There are people who really love woodworking, who just want to do art pieces themselves. If they get joy and energy from working with something that they love and they can find a way to make a living doing it, I would highly recommend that.”