Heeding the call of Western North Carolina’s makers and crafters scene, Colin Buxton relocated to Asheville to make portable wooden outdoor furniture at Blue Ridge Chair Works.

Buxton grew up in South Carolina and was exposed to crafting and fine furniture from a young age. “My grandfather was pretty crafty, and my dad was always very ‘DIY’ with a lot of things,” he said. “My family had really nice antique furniture and I always enjoyed that. I love furniture because it’s not only something that can be really pretty, it also serves a functional purpose.”

After attending college at the University of South Carolina, he moved to Vermont and attended furniture making school. He then worked for ShackletonThomas crafting fine furniture.

“I made classical furniture — traditional, timeless pieces that are really nice and will last forever,” Buxton said. “Side tables, book cases, dining room tables… It was a cool position and the company is known for using very traditional skills. It was a renowned place to work.”

When the pandemic hit, Buxton said he became more interested in a furniture-making business of his own. He was able to connect with former owner of Blue Ridge Chair Works, Alan Davis, who was looking to retire, and was able to purchase the company. Buxton said Davis was looking for someone with the same passion for both the woodworking craft and the outdoors, and Buxton fit the bill.

Blue Ridge Chair Works is known for a flagship-model chair Davis had been making for 40 years. The company also produces folding tables and a folding stool that can be used as an ottoman. Buxton said the pieces are not only portable, they are also very durable, high-quality pieces and are easily repairable.

“This isn’t a cheap plastic chair that you throw away when it inevitably breaks,” Buxton said. “You can easily replace or repair a part if something does happen. These chairs are also really comfortable and will last for a very long time.”

Buxton said he does his best to stay true to company values by keeping everything as local as possible. He uses all sustainably sourced domestic Ash, known to be very strong for its weight and the best value in hardwoods, and buys cut-to-size slats from Swannanoa.

Western North Carolina is wonderful for his business for several reasons, according to Buxton. The strong history of all sorts of crafts as well as the large outdoor community influence supports the right demographics for his brand. He said support organizations like Mountain BizWorks have also been helpful.

Currently working as a one-man show, Buxton tries to hit the mark of making about 20 chairs plus 10 tables and 10 stools every week. He said orders come from wholesale as well as direct-to-consumer orders, and he will be attending some seasonal festivals to vend and meet other people in the outdoor community.

With a recent brand refresh, Buxton said he hopes to grow Blue Ridge Chair Works. “It all takes time,” he said. “With a new website, new copy, and more marketing, we are hoping to start getting more wholesale accounts in the near future."

While wanting to get as many chairs and tables to as many people as he can, Buxton said it’s important to him to maintain the small business feel and connectivity while scaling his business. 

“I’m still dialing in the process, and there is always room to increase efficiency,” Buxton said. “Figuring out what is quicker, what is less work, and what order works best is a fun part of the job. I want to help as many people enjoy time outside with their families and people they love, and when these pieces of wood come to life, I know I’m helping people from here to California to Japan do just that.”