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Wilson-Babb Upholstery has been in business in Memphis, Tennessee for more than 65 years. The company was founded by Ernest Wilson on April 1st, of 1935. In the days before mass produced mattresses Mr. Wilson hand built them. Among his clients was the famous Memphis establishment the Peabody Hotel.
As mass production began to replace hand tied mattresses the companies attention shifted to reupholstery. Through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Wilson’s company developed a reputation as one of the highest quality shops in Memphis. It was during this period that Wilson’s grandson Eric Babb began to work at the company. Eric was schooled in traditional upholstery techniques, as Wilson refused to accept such modern conveniences as staple guns. Eric confesses that he spent a lot of his youth “spitting tacks.”
As Eric took the reigns of his Grandfathers company, again mass production began to influence this small company that focused on handicraft. “Basically, furniture became too cheap. Manufacturers are building for price points instead of quality, and much of what was being produced simply isn’t worth reupholstering.”
In the 1990’s Babb began to focus his attention on producing high quality custom furniture. Marrying the upholstery skills he learned from his grandfather with his own woodworking ability, Babb and his staff continue create truly unique furniture for customers in Memphis and throughout the mid-south. |
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