Cat Beds | Cats And Dogs Huddle In New Furniture Niche

Cat beds bedposts.

Dog cages that resemble the final tables.

A litter "box" style that disguises its true purpose.

The creation of these items has become a thriving business of Randy and Brenda Malm of Woodstock.

In 1993, Randy lived in Massachusetts and to work around the home of Eldred Wheeler Company

"I had a lot of extra bed posts," he said. "I decided to make a bed for my cat."

The result - a scaled-down version of a human quality bed style - an acquaintance asked to suggest Malm try selling them.

"He said" the way people care for their pets, I bet you sell a million of them, '"said Malm.

A few years later, after moving to Maine, which did not put on the market, advertising in magazines beds cat under the name of the company, "Classic Cat Beds" He made the beds of ash, cherry and mahogany.

"I have sold between 250 and 300 in three or four months," he said.

But advertising is expensive, he said, and after a few years the small side business dried up.

He continued his work on the house of Eldred Wheeler. In 2005, shortly after he and Brenda got married, a friend suggested Randy pet furniture to another attempt.

He did, dog beds adding to its products and change the company name to Classic Pet Beds.

Then Brian Peterson, owner of Pet Stop in Bethel Peterson, Randy suggested adding "feeds" dog and cat to your selection. Feeders are tabular structures with holes for plate-size pets carved in them to keep dishes and elevate them.

Pet products pet store room and got interested. "They loved them," said Randy. "They started buying 180 to 200 of them every four months."

Two years later, Randy and Brenda went to a show in Chicago, and "more stores began to take us," he said.

In 2009, Randy starting the design of wooden boxes for dogs that can double as tables.

"We have not had a day off since," said Brenda.

The enclosures feature superior off, allowing easy access to beds and cleaning. In addition to the standard model, Randy also makes custom boxes.

They sell some of his creations through his own website, but most sales are still made through the sites of large chain stores.

His business continued to grow right through the recession, proof that many people still find a way to pamper their pets.

In addition to a growing number of orders, Malms also received positive feedback from satisfied customers.

"A customer bought a cat bed in the Christmas season," said Randy. "He sent a photo of your cat on the bed and said," The cat is not out of bed since Christmas. ""

"Another customer wrote that the woodwork in a drawer of the dog was so good that I wanted to use it as a bar," said Randy.

Two years ago, in response to the growing demand for furniture, Brenda, who previously worked in other jobs, he began to devote all his time to stains, packaging, paperwork and other support tasks. And last year the Malms hired a full-time employee, Mike Hart, and a part-timer.

Late last year, between the feasts of Thanksgiving and Christmas, put out hundreds of pieces of furniture, including the 270 feeders.

Then disaster struck.

In February, a fire destroyed the workshop beside his home. They were able to save some equipment, but the business was brought to a standstill. With the pending orders, who were quick to rebuild.

With the help and support of the people and local building materials and other companies, and Randy Hart built a new shop, bigger in two months.

"It was really a blessing in disguise," said Brenda. "The other store was too small."

People who had ordered the furniture has been patient.

"Some of them have been waiting since December," said Randy.

This week he filled work orders.

"It feels good to be the manufacture of furniture instead of building new," he said.

The public is invited to stop by and visit the workshop of 169 Cushman Road (Monday through Friday from 8 to 4.). For information about your products, visit www.classicpetbeds.com.