Our company name, The Barn Raiser, is based on a very old tradition in the Amish culture called a barn-raising. This is when all the members of an Amish community gather together toward one common goal; to provide their fellow man with a much needed service. For the Amish; whether it is building a barn or plowing a field, the goal is teamwork. At The Barn Raiser, we also work together as a team to provide quality and excellence.
The founder and president, Dave Ortlieb, has worked in the Amish shed industry for many years. Prior to owning this company, he was employed by another shed business where he not only learned just about everything there is to know about Amish-built products; but he also noticed that there were many aspects of the Amish shed industry that could be improved upon. When the opportunity arose to open his own business, he knew if we focused on providing a better product using the latest advancements in building materials and construction knowledge then there was a niche to be filled. Over the course of several years, Dave tirelessly researched dozens & dozens of Amish builders throughout Pennsylvania. After narrowing down the search to the best candidates, we personally met with each builder and examined their craftsmanship before forming a business relationship with them. The result has been the high quality, and often innovative, Amish-built structures we're known for. We have also forged some special friendships with the Amish families we work with. This personal bond allows us and our builders the freedom of constructive criticism so we can best work toward improving the products we offer based on our customers comments, ideas, and expectations. We can assure our customers that they are getting the best building available in the Amish shed market. After all, this is what The Barn Raiser is all about.
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Dave knew he couldn't be completely successful without help...and lots of it! It only made sense that his spouse, Michelle, and two of their friends, Stacey & James would work together to make the business a reality. Each person offered a unique contribution which allowed The Barn Raiser to become the success story it is. As we head into 2010, we begin our 7th successful year. Our business has seen major changes in the last year and a half such as our good friends Stacey & James moving to another state and the introduction of several new building styles. This is a very exciting time and we are confident we will continue to be innovative and work diligently and personally with all of our customers. As always; an owner of The Barn Raiser is almost always around the office to take your calls, show you around the lot and answer your questions. Therefore, no corners are cut when it comes to exceptional customer service.
When The Barn Raiser opened in January 2004, its primary goal was to offer high-quality Amish-built structures at fair prices along with excellent customer relations. We started out on a 1/4 acre lot with only 6 sheds in-stock and a small office. We sold 1 shed that month. Fortunately, our sales began to grow slowly but steadily as we established a name for ourselves mainly through 'word of mouth' advertising. The best kind! Our customers immediately recognized the difference in quality and in our attentive customer service. Luckily, our happy customers told their friends about us which resulted in a phenomenal first year. We were able to move to a larger location which opened in January 2005. We now have over 2 acres of lot space and during the summer, which is our peak season, at least 40 structures in-stock. We've also expanded our product line to include our country Gift Shoppe where you can find wonderful handcrafted items such as quilts, wooden crafts & solid wood chests. The only thing that has not changed is our commitment to quality.
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The Barn Raiser is located just outside the historic village of Saugerties on the west bank of the Hudson River. We are active members of the community and we are proud to be affiliated as a member, sponsor or contributor within the following organizations;
Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce www.discoversaugerties.com |
Saugerties Youth Football League
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Forsyth Nature Center www.forsythnaturecenter.org
| American Cancer Society Relay for Life |
Lions Club of Kingston www.kingstonlions.com |
Saugerties Lions Club |
Catskill Animal Sanctuary www.casanctuary.org |
Kiwanis Club of Saugerties/ Saugerties Fire Company July 4th Festivities Fund |
Ulster County SPCA www.ucspca.org |
Saugerties Knights of Columbus |
| The Boys & Girls Club of Saugerties |
Glasco Fire Company |
Sacred Heart Church, Palenville |
St. Mary of the Snow School, Saugerties |