Published: April 01, 2006 11:36 pm      

Tearing down and cleaning up

Owner of cabinet shop has relocated, expanded operation.

BY KEVIN LILLY

Pharos-Tribune business writer



Sometimes to clean up requires tearing down.

Mike Murray, owner of Versatile Cabinet & Solid Surface, is in process of doing just that. He recently purchased the former Ace Hardware and Cass County Lumber property at 108 E. Ottawa St., where he relocated his 15-year old cabinet-making business. Murray has a local demolition crew razing a 103-year-old building.

“We’re cleaning it (the site) up and getting rid of an eyesore and hazard,” Murray said. “I was afraid the kids were going to get in there and get hurt or the building was going to fall and cause more trouble than tearing it down.”

Murray said he has put a lot of work into prepping the other aged building for the operation of his cabinet and countertop company. He has worked on getting the machinery ready throughout the past winter.

For the past two months, Murray and three employees have been building cabinets and furniture as well as fabricating countertops for both residential, commercial and health-care facilities from the new location.

Murray was working out of a building on the same property as his home.

“Moving in here was an expansion for me,” Murray said.

He has been in business in Logansport for 15 years and working on cabinets for more than 25 years, which is how he is able to offer so many services and products.

As the name states, they are versatile in cabinetry and countertops. The company is a DuPont certified Corian fabricator and does custom cabinetry, kitchens, baths, laundry room, pantries, closets, fireplace surrounds, and custom woodworking.

They have worked in schools and hospitals. Murray said 60 percent of their work is residential kitchens and baths. Their coverage area is as far south as Indianapolis, as far north as Culver and Fort Wayne, and west to Monticello.

Murray also plans to clean the property up.

“It’s going to be a nice looking place when I get done,” Murray said.

There will be bushes and flowers planted, along with other general landscaping. He also plans to construct a new entryway at the end of the building.

The razing of the old building will take a total of two weeks to complete. Murray said Leo Brown and Dave Slick have “done all the work.”

So, what is next?

“We’re not building anything new right now,” Murray said. “We’re just cleaning it up and making it look nicer.”

After the move, Murray said besides cabinetry there is something else he would like to master.

“If we could master the art of making money, we will be all right.” Murray went onto say, “It’s easier to make cabinets then it is to make money. I’ve got the cabinet making down.”

Kevin Lilly can be reached at 722-5000, Ext. 5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com