A Seat at the Table – Restoring a Piece of FLX Hospitality

Geneva, NY is a gem of a city perched at the top of Seneca Lake, right in the heart of New York’s renowned wine country. Known for its vibrant food and wine scene, Geneva is also home to some of the most thoughtful and creative small businesses in the region—one of which I had the privilege of working for: FLX Hospitality.

Before I stepped full-time into woodworking, I worked as a catering chef for FLX Hospitality. My role spanned multiple outlets, including the unforgettable FLX Table, a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience. Unlike any other restaurant, FLX Table offers limited seating and an ever-evolving prix fixe tasting menu that showcases the best in locally sourced ingredients and wine pairings. It’s intimate, warm, and driven by a passion for community and craft.

So when I had the opportunity to restore a centerpiece of that very experience—a 12-foot cherry wood dining table—I was honored.

The original table had beautiful bones, crafted from local cherry but worn from years of shared meals and stories. The goal wasn’t to replace it, but to breathe new life into it. I carefully disassembled the piece, salvaged every part I could, and combined reclaimed cherry wood with new, locally sourced cherry. After hours of sanding, shaping, and finishing, the table was reborn—its rustic soul preserved but now glowing with a smooth, clean surface ready for many more years of memorable meals.

But the project didn’t end there. To add even more warmth and charm to the space, I built custom planter boxes to live above the table. These additions, designed to complement the space and the dining experience, added a cozy, home-like touch to the ambiance—another way craftsmanship can quietly enhance how we gather and connect.

At its heart, this project wasn’t just about wood. It was about people. It was about one local business helping another, about honoring history while making space for new stories. It reminded me how important it is that we continue to build each other up—one table, one meal, one handcrafted piece at a time.

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If you have a piece with a story worth saving—or want to bring something new to life for your home or business—let’s talk. Click here for your next build