ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110089
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
We all should have Mack Dawson Cooper's troubles.
He was 20 years old in 1946, a combat veteran of the infantry, when he went to work at a Roanoke furniture manufacturing company, G &M Manufacturing & Furniture Repair Co., as an apprentice.
Four years later Cooper and Lewis B. Harris, his partner for the next 23 years, purchased the business and the name from Warren Dodsmark.
Cooper says he hasn't had one slack day of business. He has worked 12- to 16-hour days six to seven days a week and now, has put a second shift to work.
"My payroll could double overnight if I could get the manpower,'' he said.
Cooper and his three sons, Mack Jr., Pierre and Andrew, plus nine to 12 others on the payroll, could use the extra help.
Mack Dawson Cooper Jr. said he's seriously considered establishing a formal apprenticeship program for 10 years. But his father said people just aren't willing to put in the time, at minimum wage, to learn a trade that would pay off later.
"There'd be no G &M today if I hadn't done an apprenticeship program,'' he said.
He attributes the success of his business to diversity, quality and personal service. He doesn't manufacture furniture anymore - actually, they got out of that quickly - but he will custom-make pieces. The staff refinishes and repairs, reupholsters and restuffs - "most of my work is underneath,'' he said, referring to horsehair and springs.
Cooper and his employees also reweave and do gold leafing, marbleize and recane. They even repair awnings.
``I've had people call me at 6 p.m. Sunday and say, `so-and-so burnt a hole in my pillow and my husband's coming home,' or `got lipstick on my sofa and my wife's coming back into town next week,''' he said.
Cooper said he has to give service like that. Recently his employees hauled a 300-pound sewing machine over to a business near Valley View Mall just to repair awnings. "You've got to fill the demand,'' he said.
When Cooper and his partner took over the business, there were three people on the payroll.
They ordered supplies on penny postcards; now they have 800-numbers. They've gone through three fax machines, and don't see salesmen in person the way they used to.
Cooper has moved the business four times, and now owns seven buildings in the Wasena area for his business.
He's seen prices escalate and improvements introduced. But, there are some things he refuses to change.
He doesn't dip furniture. Never has; never will. Although he's seen upholstering work go from 100 percent tack-and-hammer method to 75 percent staples, he still insists on the former for antiques. It's in keeping with the style of furniture. And, he sells his own fabrics, refusing to work on second-run material.
"We have some good fabrics today, but your all-natural fabrics - wool, cotton, silk and linen - are your four best fabrics,'' he said.
His eldest son, Mack Cooper Jr., said he started working for his dad while he was in high school.
"My dad would give me cost sheets and sample books and send me out. My skill preceded my age,'' he said.
Cooper said his son's hands are like those of a surgeon, skilled in woodwork.
It's in his blood, said Mack Cooper Jr., adding that his greatest joy and challenge is tackling jobs no one else will do.
One of Mack Cooper Jr.'s most recent projects was carving a ball-and-claw leg missing from a piece of furniture. His two younger brothers are right there with him, every day, upholstering, repairing, weaving. They've learned to love the pieces they handle.
"Some of these family pieces are worth more than money - it's an intrinsic value,'' said Cooper, explaining that the respect they have for their trade and their customers is one of the reasons their business is so strong.
It doesn't hurt that the Coopers do extensive appraisal work and handle insurance claims on damaged furniture as far away as Philadelphia and Atlanta. It doesn't hurt that they have a reputation for still doing hand-tufting. Or that Pierre Cooper does brass, copper and spring foundation repair work. Or that they still won't, to this day, take a down payment.
"I deliver what I sell. I stand behind my work. We can't afford not to do a good job,'' Mack Cooper said.
G &M Upholstering
& Furniture Repair Co. Inc.
826 Winona Ave., S.W.
343-6819
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: WAYNE DEEL/Staff. Mack D. Cooper Sr. (right) and hisby CNBthree sons (from left) Pierre, Andrew and Mack Jr. don't have any
slack days at G&M Manufacturing & Furniture Repair Co.