Need TV Tray Tables? Try Solid Wood!

TV tray tables became popular in the 1950′s, as the price of televisions fell to the point that middle class American families were able to afford them. Television trays were originally marketed as a way of conveniently eating meals and watching TV simultaneously, but have come to serve a variety of different purposes as well.

A tray table ad from the 50′s

These days, many people use their TV tray tables as a surface for their laptop or tablet so they can do things like check their email while watching the morning news or video chat with their friends while they watch the game.  Who would have imagined that television trays, originally associated with 1950′s America, would become strongly associated with digital technology?

At Manchester Wood, television trays were some of our most popular items over the holiday season. One customer favorite is our Portable Folding Work and Laptop Desk, which is designed to be a versatile peace of furniture that can either be used as a folding TV tray or as a standalone desk.

Need more that one folding tray table? We also offer sets, like our Rectangular Folding TV Tray Table Set of 2 , which also comes in a set of four. These sets are great for couples and families. If you are interested in checking out our whole selection of folding tray tables, here it is.

Finally, a note about construction and materials. Since TV table trays were conceived in the 1950s, many of them were made with a miraculous new material called plastic, with metal for structural integrity. However, soon the novelty of plastic began to wear off, and its drawbacks, like brittleness and aesthetic shortcomings, became apparent. At Manchester Wood, we make our folding tray tables just like we make our other furniture: using sustainably harvested North American hardwoods. We hope you check out our wood TV trays and choose to buy American made furniture.

The New Year

Happy New Year, and blessings to you as we embark on 2012, a big time in space for our World. We give thanks to you, our customers for your continued support in American made furniture over the last year, which was a rising one for Manchester Wood as our sales and press coverage grew and flourished as our country continues to become more aware of the importance of American made products still existing, and also, the high moral quality and genuine craftsmanship it entails.

Manchester Wood President Ed Eriksen recognizes distinguished employees at this past years 35th Anniversary Celebration.

Our plans for 2012 are BIG with major evolutionary changes invoking more of the true essence of our brand with lots of new products, our first retail catalog, new business partnerships in spreading our message and furniture, and most importantly, personal notes to our active consumer base as we send your American made solid wood furniture items out the door.

Yes indeed, this year for Manchester Wood is slated to be of great importance for our community, country, and “the mill” – our workplace. We hope you feel the same about your Life as you enter this new time.

The quality of our furniture has proven itself over the last 35 years as a major manufacturer to highly respected brands as a primary provider and important element in their company’s awareness and image. So after years of providing much care and love to our manufacturing clients (whom we still proudly serve), we’ve become more alert to strengthening our financial needs, which, even with the business we receive, we’ve needed to become more solid. In an active pursuit to keep American made furniture business alive we began ManchesterWood.com, refurbished a factory seconds outlet, and approached you the consumer directly. The success we’ve found in doing so has been magnificent with sales in recent months nearly doubling, a growing mailing list, and an active social media and press campaign. We believe this is a sure testament to your caring, assertive consumer actions, and the quality of our products proudly made in the USA.

From the employees, to the employers, Manchester Wood wants to sincerely give thanks for these staggering results as our hearts fill with Gratitude for the past year of service we’ve provided, and you’ve shown necessary. Thank you.

To a prosperous, peaceful, loving 2012! God bless.

To shop our online store, visit www.ManchesterWood.com

A Commitment to Sustainability and Social Awareness

Our Equinox Rocker and Adirondack Side Table with Vegetables and Fruit provided by Clear Brook Farm, an Organic Farm in Shaftsbury, VT

If you really take a solid look at our existence over the last decade, and our quantum leaps as a society over the last few years on social change and environmental issues, it’s easy to see that serious change is upon us.

December 21^st 2012 is a phenomenon that comprises a range of eschatological beliefs that a cataclysmic or transformative event will occur on that date. The supposed “end” of the Mayan calendar, which was set over 5,000 years ago presents, for some, a pending doom to the world, as we know it. Although, a New Age interpretation of this date marks the start of a time in which Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation.

Have we not become a more eco-friendly and spirit minded society? It’s easy to see the later situation holding a strong case.

We still have some way to go though in this New Age thought, but the numbers are growing, and once serious issues are now serious cases for a future much different then our recent past. When it comes to sustainability and environmentally conscious efforts in manufacturing furniture, we feel we’re on the front line.

Manchester Wood is committed, whether through our products, our voice, or through our writing, to continue on the pledge of a more free, successful society, in which all can be blessed with the life they deserve. Through a healthy environment and a social freedom that continues to rapidly evolve.

Good food, good products, and a healthy spirit seem to be the beginning formulas of a new commerce era in America. We hope you join us.

To read more about our commitment to producing Environmentally Sustainable Furniture, click here.

For more information on Clear Brook Farm, click here.

4th of July $10 Off Adirondack Sale: June 24th – July 5th

Kid's Adirondack Chairs are only $69.95!

Manchester Wood celebrates America’s Independence with offering the highest quality American made summer staple for over the last 35 years: the Adirondack Chair; with $10 off every chair purchased and FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the continental U.S. from June 24^th until July 5^th. It requires typing “4thSale” in the Coupon Code box at checkout on ManchesterWood.com.

Our Adirondack Chairs have become a lake and beachside benchmark, an emblem of comfort, craftsmanship, and relaxation. We’re proud to say our chairs have graced many docks, porches, and ocean sides over the years, and a small token of our appreciation comes in this $10 off sale.

Lemon Yellow Adirondack Chair on Glen Island, Lake George, NY

Choose any of our 7 finish colors for both Adirondack and Kid’s Adirondack Chairs. The sale brings our Kid’s Adirondack Chair down to a mere $69.95! That’s a true savings, and a great way for the young ones to join Mom and Dad this summer at a very reasonable price.

Sit back… relax… and take a piece of the Adirondacks home with you this Independence year.

To view our Adirondack Chairs, click here.

To view our Kid’s Adirondack Chairs, click here.

Manchester Wood designs and produces quality, affordable, eco-friendly solid wood American furniture in the Green Mountains of Vermont and Adirondack foothills of New York.

Graduation Season: Perfect Furniture Gifts for Young Professional

As Graduation season winds down, Manchester Wood reviews a few select items for young professionals making the stride from school to the workplace, building a home and an environment for their future.

Portable Folding Work Desk

Our Portable Folding Work Desk is an immediate choice item for the new graduate looking for that small piece with a work mobility that fits the 21^st century life style. An updated TV Tray Table with a more modern use. It’s light with a very large table surface for a quick, immediate, sprawled workspace.

From dorm life to adulthood, finding that entertainment center for the young adult can be a pricy and taunting task. Manchester Wood covers several TV/Media Stands that have a longevity and class that’ll give a young professional a focused and intelligent purchase in both quality and character. The Hanover Media & Gaming Stand is our immediate choice when gifting the youth moving through a transition with their entertainment pieces. With its concealed look, it’s easy to hide away those gaming consoles and other, sometimes youthful items to a particular guest. The look and feel spells modern functionality with a traditional design making it easy to fit in any home design or setting.

Along the lines of storage with our entertainment consoles comes our Jelly Cabinet. It’s the perfect addition to a kitchen or area where storage space is needed. A smaller item too, which makes it great for a new home or apartment space. With it’s door hinged on the left and ample shelving there is room for canned goods or other products that need a place. When closet or pantry space is sparse, this item is a smart choice.

Start off the next generation’s adulthood with a gift that will last a lifetime, with a product and brand that’s socially conscious background supports the American economy and American Made furniture.

June 14th: Flag Day

In 1861 the country was in jeopardy, the American Civil War had just started and the Union was losing its youthful, vibrant, revolutionary energy. Factions of American society grew restless as a critical social evolution took place.

Poster commemorating the 140th Flag Day on 14 June 1917 (via wikipedia.com)

That same year, George Morris in Hartford, Connecticut was credited with suggesting “Flag Day,” an occasion in honor of the American Flag which was established on June 14^th, 1777 and suggested that it should be further recognized with a celebration. The city of Hartford observed this new holiday with parades and patriotic programming on June 14^th, 1861. The focus of it at the time was for prayer and support of the troops fighting in preservation of the Union.

It wasn’t until the early 20^th century though, when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14^th as Flag Day, a day of patriotism, support, and reflection.

As the years pass, Flag Day has had its high times of celebration, and it’s low times, much like the change of the country and the World.

Interestingly enough, the largest Flag Day celebration is nearby our mill here at Manchester Wood in the city of Troy, New York, some 60 miles away with an average of over 50,000 in attendance.

Whether you’re a flag-totting patriot or a lover of a free world, or both, maybe next Tuesday June 14^th you take time to reflect on the Flag, our history, and what a wild ride it’s been.

From all of us at Manchester Wood, happy early Flag Day, we hope you find that sometimes hidden powerful and independent spirit all us Americans have grown with.

Happy Flag Day!

Celebrating the American Dad on Father’s Day

 

American Dad and Manchester Wood worker, Linden preparing wood in rough mill

Manchester Wood offers 15% Discount!

plus FREE SHIPPING ON ALL PRODUCTS!

With summer upon us, Memorial Day this past week and the 4th of July fast approaching, there is much to celebrate.

Among those summertime celebrations is Father’s Day on June 19th. What better gift for Dad than a high quality, American made product? An item that holds pride and memory of a past that once held a prosperous American economy with a now promising outlook towards the future. To think of our product as one of these items brings great joy, so today we announce a special Father’s Day season discount to our socially conscious, American made customers!

ALL Manchester Wood products will be available at 15% OFF today through June 20th (for you late shoppers), and it requires typing “AmericanDad” in the Coupon Code box at checkout on Manchesterwood.com.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach us toll free at 1-800-660-6930 or by email, service@manchesterwood.com.

Many thanks and blessings!

Hope you’re well!

Our Take On Buying American

www.manchesterwood.com

Not many realize how vital it is to purchase American Made products for the sustainability of our country’s current economic turmoil.

For those who know, but are deterred by the daunting look at the price tags of products made in America compared to cheaper items made elsewhere it can be a challenging task to commit to the domestic common good.

We understand that here at Manchester Wood, and we’re proud to say the affordability of our products is evident, competitively priced with box stores selling items at lesser quality with a lifetime nowhere near the heirloom longevity we provide with our solid wood furniture.

In a recent study on ABC’s World News with Diane Sawyer, they found that if every person in America spent $3.33 a year on American made products it would produce more than 10,000 jobs.

That’s a small amount for such a dramatic return in investment for your fellow man.

Flag toting and patriotism aside, in America we follow strict guidelines to protect our natural resources, environment, and civil liberties. Unfortunately, much of what you purchase from overseas does not follow such principle. With a dramatically failing eco-system in China, political turmoil, and civil injustice, (Please watch: WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price) I think you’ll quickly make a moral decision to step outside the mass produced realm, and take a look at what we still make here at home.

Manchester Wood, an American made Vermont corporation that makes solid wood furniture at affordable prices with a manufacturing plant in the foothills of the Adirondacks in New York. Please view our online catalog now at www.manchesterwood.com.