The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
New woodworking shop opens
Owner credits Riverside woodshop with helping develop
Charlie Carney began woodworking at a young age and with help from Riverside High School’s woodshop class, he developed a passion that he turned into a career.
On Sept. 18, Carney officially opened the doors to his new shop, American Live Edge, at 218 Main St. in Painesville. He’s planned a grand opening celebration weekend.
Carney said his shop will offer finished work like countertops, bartops, and table tops with its main focus on raw materials.
“I produce specialty hardwood material,” Carney said. “It’s all kiln-dried wood. I found my way into not just doing finish work but starting to produce raw materials. I produce the wood, and I can install it in your house finished.”
Carney said his business will also “produce hardto-find materials to people from all around the country.”
Carney said his time in Riverside’s woodshop class helped him and friends jumpstart their jobs.
“I was given a good opportunity to utilize the Riverside High School’s woodshop programs,” Carney said. “That’s where I was able to really focus on woodworking. I had a great teacher. I got friends that their whole careers are based on what they learned in woodshop and metal shop.”
As a small business owner, Carney said the opportunities the country presents gave him the ability to open up his shop.
He said all small business owners need to continue working toward their dreams.
“We live in a great country, and you can’t do this in a majority of the world,” Carney said. “That was what really inspired me to do what I do. Small businesses need to just keep pushing forward.”