Founded by a third-generation woodworker, Heirloom Tables specializes in crafting custom dining tables that bring families together.
By Joey Macari
Photography by Jack Foley
n many homes, the dining table is more than just a piece of furniture—it is a gathering place where families come together, stories are shared and memories are made. It is where holiday feasts are laid out, where children do their homework and where life’s milestones are celebrated. In an age of disposable goods, a well-crafted table can stand as a symbol of continuity and tradition, a tangible link between generations.
For Chris Benson, Owner of Heirloom Tables in Hanover, this sentiment runs deep. Opening the store in August of 2020, Chris brought to the business a rich family legacy of craftsmanship. His great-grandfather was a master woodworker known for his finely crafted cabinets, a skill that was passed down through the generations. What began as a hobby for Benson, working with wood in his spare time, eventually grew into a full-fledged business dedicated to creating custom, heirloom-quality tables.
Over the past decade, Heirloom Tables has become synonymous with superior craftsmanship and timeless beauty. Specializing in custom wood tables, Benson and his team have honed their techniques to create pieces that not only look stunning but are built to last.
“It’s fairly easy to make a table look beautiful in the first few months, but we do the proper techniques to be of Heirloom quality so they are beautiful for many years and passed on to the next generation,” says Benson.
Heirloom Tables stands out for its use of unique and high-quality materials, including reclaimed American Chestnut. Once abundant in North America, this wood was nearly wiped out by a blight in the early 1900s. However, Benson revitalizes this rare wood in his creations. “Since American Chestnut is unique and scarce, it’s no longer commercially available as lumber and can only be reclaimed from buildings that were built 100-200 years ago” says Benson. The historical significance and natural beauty of this wood make each table a piece of living history.
Heirloom Tables prides itself on its collaborative approach with customers, ensuring each table reflects the owner’s unique style. “At Heirloom Table Company, we allow the customer to design their own table,” Benson says. The process begins in their Hanover showroom, where customers can explore different wood species and view finished tables. After selecting the type of wood they like best, customers can choose between an assortment of unfinished tabletops, much like selecting granite for a kitchen countertop. Benson applies mineral spirits to the wood to simulate how the table will look once a urethane seal has been applied. This ensures that the final product has the character and color desired.
Durability and aesthetic appeal are achieved through the use of high-quality materials and meticulous construction techniques. The finish on Heirloom Tables is particularly noteworthy. “We use a spar urethane finish where you can leave a glass of water on your table all day long and not get any water marks,” he shares. The construction process also involves securing any weaknesses in the reclaimed wood, ensuring the table remains strong and stable. “Most furniture companies will have a disclaimer that a customer should expect cracks and checks as a natural occurrence in reclaimed wood, but we spend the time to secure any weakness to prevent this from happening,” says Benson.
Choosing the table base is equally personalized, with options including wood or metal bases and designs ranging from four-leg to trestle styles. Benson emphasizes the importance of this step: “There are two main factors in selecting a table base—design and function,” he says. “We discuss with the customer what they are looking for in a base and offer recommendations.” Benson’s wife, Cindi, helps customers select the design for their tables. “Cindi stays informed on design trends and we adjust our offerings to ensure that we provide products that are current and timeless,” Chris explains.
For prospective customers, the journey to owning a custom table begins with measuring their space and considering their design preferences. Benson and his team guides clients through every step of the table design process, ensuring the final product is exactly how they like it. “As some of our customers leave the showroom after ordering their table, they comment on how it was such an enjoyable process and they are so excited for their new table.”
“We’re for the folks that don’t want to buy something mass-produced,” says Benson. “Our customers want something special that will last for decades and we make sure that they are one hundred percent satisfied.”
Through the alchemy of superior craftsmanship, premium materials and an individualized customer journey, Heirloom Tables doesn’t just craft furniture—they create beautiful places for families to gather together for generations.
For more information, visit heirloomtablecompany.com.