CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1455834
40 March 2022 "From stripping furniture, repair and fabrication and replacement of damaged parts to veneer and inlay work, staining and finishing," she said, "we do it all." While she can complete most jobs inside the red metal building, for certain components she enlists the help of trusted contractors like upholsterer Trick Holmes, Babette Augustin of Mill End Fabrics, and Jim O'Leary of Transit Damage Inspection Service. "When I first got here," Saar said, "Jim was one of the few who didn't talk down to me." Despite the necessary messiness involved in the process of sanding, painting and sawing, hers is a neat-as-a-pin operation. Parts and pieces are organized and packed away in tidy bins. Tools are grouped together on pegboard hooks. Even specialized implements that a visitor wouldn't readily recognize hang on the wall in meticulous fashion. "If it's not organized, my brain's not organized," Saar said. "I run a pretty tight ship in terms of cleanliness." Saar and Faircloth have faced challenges, but not from the heirlooms or the antiques. Like most businesses, they've had to cope with the effects of COVID. Besides that, the price of refinishing materials has soared. And then there are the people who have never seen a woman wield a power tool or operate a table saw. "It's men who think they know more than I know," she said. "e ones who say, 'Where's your husband?' and "Where's the man that does the work?' "No husband," she always answers. ese days, a bright spot is Nick Fauvell, who stopped by about a year ago to apply for a job. Despite having no experience, he wound up having a knack for careful crasmanship. "at was my lucky day," Saar said. "I don't have any kids, but if I did, it would be him." Saar's mother, the woman who must have sensed something in her daughter when she handed her that piece of broken family furniture, died years ago. But not before having the opportunity to see that long-ago chore blossom into fine crasmanship and loyal customers. "I do for you as I would do for my mother," Saar said. "We work hard every day, and we do our best every day. ere's no other job I'd rather do." Above, Cynthia Saar ripping boards with her table saw at Cardinal Restorations. Left, Nick Fauvell has a knack for careful craftsmanship. "I do for you as I would do for my mother. We work hard every day, and we do our best every day. There's no other job I'd rather do." – Cynthia Saar