TimberHut Cabin Company
TimberHut Cabin Company
Artisan crafted cabin company to bring new life to Great Valley site
As a long-time business owner and woodworker, Chautauqua County native Brooks Anderson is no stranger to the question, “Do you think you could build something like this?” Last summer, when one of his business connections asked him this question, Anderson’s response forever changed the face of his business, and the future looks very bright.
Anderson, whose educational background is in marketing and business development, has developed a passion for woodworking and creating quality products over the past 12 years. Through his Buffalo-based company Artifact Timber, his work involved networking with a group of local artisans and craftsmen, carpenters, and mill workers in this process-based business model that connected them to national markets. “Unfortunately, when the pandemic hit, Artifact Timber dried up,” Anderson explained of his company, which produced items such as office furniture and desks. “It became clear that I needed to create more of a product-based business. A business connection from West Virginia came to me and asked if I could make him something, and that made me wonder if there was a bigger picture or business around that.”
The request involved the creation of four “glamping pods,” which are small, wooden insulated huts used for camping. “The idea came about right in the middle of last summer, when people needed to get out of cities and were working out of their offices and at home,” Anderson explained. “The idea of allowing more people to do that through a relatively inexpensive proposition started to appeal to us. I knew that we could get the right builders and right designer to build something fantastic.”
Unlike outdoor storage sheds, these units are contained, well-appointed small living spaces. “We started out with an initial design that was 144 square feet, with premium windows and wall coverings. We have custom-milled white pine on our walls and exterior premium finishes,” said Anderson. “What we have are these designer units that are turning out to be something like a room in your house, maybe even nicer.”
Unlike tiny houses, which have many moving parts, these cabins do not typically include tiny kitchens and bathrooms, although these can be added for a price. “With tiny houses, everything has to be compressed,” Anderson explained. “Our cabins are anything but claustrophobic. These give customers the opportunity to enjoy what is surrounding the cabin. You can have your belongings in there, maybe a cooler of refreshments, a table, and a bed. But the main focus is whatever setting the cabin is placed in. We want to sell our customers the opportunity to do that, more so than the cabin itself.”
These original four units have now led Anderson to creating a new business, TimberHut Cabin Company, which has already outgrown its Buffalo site. These units can be custom-ordered and designed for a variety of purposes, said Anderson, who recognized a key market in Cattaraugus County (and beyond) including hunters, fishermen, campers, and - importantly - skiers. “We are now building our units specifically for the hospitality segment,” Anderson explained. “These are geared toward skiing, and we’re already building relationships with some big resorts.”
It’s not hard to understand how a TimberHut Cabin could enhance a family’s ski get-away. Each cabin is completely lockable and secure, is heated, and includes lighting and comfortable furniture. Anderson added, “We’re providing that family the option to have exclusive rights to this day cabin, which is accessible to the parking lot, ski lifts, and close enough to the lodge to use public facilities there. For a price, they rent these for a day, week, or weekend and they can have: 1) a nice, warm place to go, and 2) have it stocked with things they’d like to order in advance, such as beverages, sandwiches and coffee.” Additional possible amenities include valeting skis and equipment right from the unit so that they can be tuned in the evening and brought back before they are needed in the morning.
“Basically, any way to use this 150 square feet to maximize your guest’s experience on that mountain is the goal,” said Anderson, who is very familiar with the needs and desires of families on the slopes.
“We go out west to Jackson Hole once a year and stay in the town,” Anderson explained. “It’s a 40-minute bus ride to the mountain every day for six days. If something like this was available to me, I could keep my gear, skis and hiking pack there every day with no need to lug it back and forth. I would love to have that luxury!”
The possibilities for TimberHut Cabins exist at campgrounds, beaches, marinas, and even large stadiums and music venues, for these comfortable units offer security and respite. Any resort, large venue, or outdoor facility could lease these units and keep them on the property for the entire season, thus enticing guests to stay longer and return often. While the business-to-business model is an important aspect of Anderson’s company, he remains devoted to producing units for individual customers who have specific needs for their ideal get-away spot.
TimberHut is scaling production to 300 units per year, with a plan to double that within the next year. “A friend of mine from Ellicottville said, ‘If you’re looking to expand, you should check out the old car dealership on Route 219 in Great Valley’,” Anderson recalled. “When I went down there to look at it, I realized there’s no other place I’d rather be.”
The expansive lot has many possibilities, not the least of which is a large production and demo site for TimberHut. “There are opportunities for other retail, showrooms, or outfitter space, plus an event venue of sorts,” said Anderson of the five acres of centralized space along the main thoroughfare between Salamanca, Ellicottville, and the popular autumn destination, Pumpkinville. “This has the potential to be a real destination venue: When people come here to look at cabins, we could have retail or outfitters for anything that would be associated with cabins or outdoor/rustic living.” All one needs to do is think about the 100-feet radius around a cabin and consider what would be useful: a fire pit, grill, tools, equipment, sleeping bag, and more.
Developing this site in Great Valley will also bring more jobs to the region. Anderson is planning for the site to be construction-ready by mid-July. “We’ll hire five people right off the bat, mainly carpenters and builders,” he said. “By the end of the year I hope to have 10 to 15 people right on the ground from Cattaraugus County. I’m working hand-in-hand with the IDA to help with recruiting and sponsoring a job fair on site in the next 30 days.” Jobs include builders and office staff. Those interested in one of these full-time positions with benefits can contact Anderson at info@timberhut.com or 716-379-3295. For more information about TimberHut Cabin company, including designs, photos and news, visit https://timberhut.com/ or follow @timberhutcabins on Instagram.