Craig Sarafa says the intersection between Seven Mile Road and I-75 is known for its busy traffic.
The passing vehicles often pull into nearby gas stations and fast food restaurants. Many drivers pay little attention to Sarafa’s property, although it’s been there for decades.
Public Lumber & Millwork focuses on selling manufacturing wood products such as moldings, doors, hardwood decking and plywood.
Still, he says his business is in a perfect location, reaching beyond the neighborhood into places like Grosse Pointe, Birmingham, and even Canada. Sarafa is general manager of Public Lumber & Millwork Co., a family-owned business that has served the community and Detroit since 1927, before his immediate family owned it.
In the 90 years Public Lumber & Millwork has been in business, a major factor has kept the doors open.
“I think the common denominator is that both in the previous owners and my family, it’s been that family business atmosphere,” Sarafa adds. “So it kind of takes a family business where you’re much more invested in making things work out than you might otherwise be, in order to survive these obstacles. (That’s) something you won’t find in a chain business.”
Today the lumber company is owned by Sarafa’s mother Faye. His sister, Christa, is also involved, filling the niche of a specialty woodwork supplier in the city and surrounding suburbs.
Public Lumber & Millwork focuses on selling manufacturing wood products such as moldings, doors, hardwood decking and plywood.
The business used to be more like a Home Depot that sold a number of products, but, as the landscape became more competitive, Public Lumber & Millwork began doing what it does now – duplicating old wood pieces brought in by customers.
“(It’s) not a very common thing,” says Sarafa. “Probably only a handful of companies in the whole state are doing it.”
Techno music legend Derrick May is among its roster of satisfied customers.
The family business recently joined the Arab American Chamber of Commerce. Christa Sarafa says the organization has been beneficial for various needs, like alternative ways to finding staff.
“They have a very hands-on membership,” she says about the AACC. “As far as being chamber members anywhere, they’re a good one.”
Christa says luck could also have been part of the company’s survival as it built a niche on the northeast side of the city, but tenacity was a huge part of the business.
“And a faith in what you’re doing … when you have faith in what you’re doing, that’s how you stick it out on I-75 and Seven Mile,” she says. “It was a business decision to stay here and to make it work.”
Editor’s Note: This Small Shops business feature is sponsored by Bank of America.
To learn more about Bank of America’s many programs and resources for small business owners visit: https://www.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/business-financing.go
Lead photo: Public Lumber & Millwork is among New Economy Initiatives $100,000 Challenge award recipients. The company used the NEI awared to purchase a new milling machine and truck and hire staff to expand custom moulding production and delivery capabilities.Photo courtesy NEI
Detroit-based Public Lumber & Millwork’s custom services are propelling its growth added by Debanina Seaton on
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