“We decided that something needed to be done and asked ourselves what we could do to affect change,” she said.
“We were looking for a specific style and size of furniture,” Kris said. “My hairdresser said I should check out the Amish store. I was a little dumbfounded because I wasn’t familiar with Amish furniture. I thought it was something that maybe my grandmother would have had. When we went to the store, we were shocked that there were so many different styles.”
Two years later, after the couple had settled into their home and furnished it with pieces from the Amish Home Décor store, the owners shared with Greg that they were retiring, closing the store and moving out of the area. “My husband said we should talk to them about buying the store,” Kris said, “and five days [later], in April 2022, we were the new owners.”
The Venhauses take pride in selling the solid, attractive and easy-to-care-for furniture that is made in the United States. “As was our experience, Amish furniture is so much more than you may think it is,” Kris said. “Styles include contemporary, rustic, traditional, farmhouse and more, with many solid woods and stains to choose from. The pieces offered are set apart from mass-produced furniture by old-world craftsmanship and exceptional quality materials. Meticulous attention to detail and precision are foundational to the creation of the furniture, and each handcrafted piece is thoughtfully brought together by a skilled artisan to create a piece that will be enjoyed for decades to come.”
The store also carries poly outdoor furniture crafted from recycled water bottles. The pieces, such as Adirondack chairs, rockers, gliders and tables, have a 20-year warranty, perfect for Arizona’s sometimes harsh climate. “It may be a little more expensive, but you won’t ever have to replace it!” Kris said.
A year after purchasing Amish Home Decor, the couple was given the opportunity to sponsor a fundraising event to build a transition home for women who had been trafficked. “We jumped at the opportunity. Prior to that, sex trafficking was not something we were even aware of,” Kris said. “Through this experience, our eyes were opened to the atrocities of human trafficking. After seeing the movie ‘The Sound of Freedom,’ our hearts continued to be stirred for the cause and the children that are so horrifically being abused through the sex trafficking industry.”
The couple began paying attention to news stories involving the sex trafficking of children. “As we heard of local arrests taking place, we knew this was and is a problem right here in our very own backyard. We decided that something needed to be done and asked ourselves what we could do to affect change,” she said. “The people we have met, the connections we have made, and the experiences we have had have all become a part of filling a need we did not know existed and supporting a dream we never realized we had.”
The couple’s answer to affecting change was founding the 501(c)3 Heartland Ranch to provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for children who have been abused and trafficked. They have committed 100% of the profits from Amish Home Décor to grow and support that mission.
The Venhauses say they have truly enjoyed doing business in Prescott Valley. “We have met so many amazing people, some who have lived here for a long time and others just moving to the area. We have made many connections and with the start of Heartland Ranch, we are creating even more connections,” Kris said. QCBN
By Heidi Dahms Foster, QCBN
Amish Home Décor is located at 2710 N. Glassford Hill Road, Ste. G, in Prescott Valley. For more information, call 928-277-8267. For products and more information, visit https://amishfurniturepv.com/.
For more about Heartland Ranch, visit https://heartlandranchaz.org/.
Courtesy Photo: Greg and Kris Venhaus were delightfully surprised when they learned about the many different styles of Amish furniture, so much so, they bought the Prescott store.
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