Carpenter adds onto business with custom poker tables
Edward Guerentz remembers as a "little kid" he'd bring his father tools and hold pieces while his father built things.
Guerentz's father, John, was a high-end cabinet maker who taught his son the detail of woodworking.
Guerentz followed in his dad's footsteps and has worked as a general contractor for 19 years, operating his own business.
"As a carpenter, I have an eye for meticulous detail," said Guerentz, who operates his shop in Lake Barrington.
At the age of 19, the Stevenson High School graduate, who lived in Long Grove, started Specialty Home Improvement, a custom remodeling and general contractor services business.
Guerentz recently added a new division of the business that involves making custom poker tables. His tables feature flush cup holders for serving and enjoying liquid refreshments without worrying about players spilling and ruining the table.
When the table is not in use, the cup holders, featuring polished brass or stainless steel liners, can be pushed into the sides of the table and out of sight.
"I just came up with the idea and drew a sketch of it on a sticky note," Guerentz said. The idea took off.
Specialty Royale Poker Tables, a division of his existing business, took off about a year ago.
"The poker business has proved to be recession proof with more than $5 billion spent last year alone on in-person and online tournaments and poker merchandise," Guerentz said.
The carpenter said he has been working with homeowners as well as restaurant owners who design their own table with velveteen and other fabrics from casino green to turquoise. Wood armrests in cheery or red oak with quality foam and pedestal bases are other features of the tables, which are often made in cherry wood or oak. The specialty tables range in price from $5,000 to $7,000.
Customers often meet with Guerentz at his shop in Lake Barrington at 22N159 Pepper Road to design the tables.
When he researched the tables, he found that most are in oval shapes. Guerentz, 37, has designed a hexagon table that can be expanded to seat ten players.
Guerentz and his wife, Kimberly, are raising two sons in Cary. Kimberly, an elementary school teacher at Deerpath School in Cary, assists in the home renovation aspect of the business.
For more information, call (847) 638-1941 or check out specialtyroyalepokertables.com.
Job fair for young workers: Hanover Township Youth and Family Services is presenting a young adult job fair Wednesday, Oct. 22, for job seekers between the ages of 16 and 21.
Participants must attend a seminar "How to Have a Successful Interview" at 6 p.m. in order to interview with participating businesses from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The event takes place at the Astor Avenue Community Center at 7431 Astor Ave., Hanover Park.
Now open: Comcast recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil its newest facility at 880 Donata Court in Lake Zurich.
The facility houses technicians who perform installation, service and network maintenance as well as warehouse and customer service personnel. Comcast customers can pick up and return equipment and pay bills at the facility's customer sales and service center between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays.
kmikus@dailyherald.com