50 Years of Kitchen and Bath Design in the Mount Washington Valley

Country Cabinets, etc. has been designing, building and installing kitchens and baths in New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley since 1976. Founded by Rich and Joy Check in North Conway, the family business now celebrates 50 years from its shop and showroom on East Conway Road in Center Conway.

1976: From the Classroom to a Basement Workshop

Rich Check grew up building birdhouses in his father's basement shop in Trumbull, Connecticut. After college and graduate study at the University of New Hampshire, where he met his wife, Joy, he spent 11 years as a science teacher and school principal, spending his free time in the school woodworking shop.

In 1976, Rich and Joy moved their young family to North Conway. Rich cashed in his teacher's retirement, bought the tools he needed, and started his business in the basement of their new home on Crossbow Lane. With a family to support, failure wasn't an option.

The Log Home Years: Learning to Build Cabinets That Last

Early on, Rich worked alongside Joy's father, Robert McIntosh, who had left the corporate world to build log homes in the shadow of Mount Washington. Rich built the cabinets, counters and furniture for those homes.

Soon he was building and installing cabinets for other builders across the valley, all from the house on Crossbow Lane. Long hours and close attention to detail paid off, and Country Cabinets, etc. grew to a team of five.

Mid-1980s: A Permanent Home on East Conway Road

In the mid-1980s, Rich and Joy bought land on East Conway Road in Center Conway and built the shop and showroom where Country Cabinets, etc. is still located today.

1988-1990: Making It Through Hard Times

The 1988-89 recession was the hardest stretch in the company's history; even their accountant suggested selling the building. Instead, Joy left her job at a local real estate firm to run the company's books. Rich lovingly nicknamed her "The Bean Counter."

Together with longtime employee Dennis Brown of Chocorua, Rich and Joy turned the business around. By 1990, things were looking up, and from then on there was no looking back.

[1996]: Carrie Joins the Family Businessa

In [1996], Rich and Joy's youngest daughter, Carrie, joined the team and began sharing design work with her dad. Her creativity and vision soon made her one of the most sought-after kitchen designers in the Mount Washington Valley.

Rooted in the Mount Washington Valley Community

Country Cabinets, etc. built its reputation on attention to detail, finishing every project, and personal attention to each client's needs. Rich has also given his time to the valley for decades:

• Board of Directors, Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Supporter of the Mount Washington Valley Economic Council
• Chairman of the committee that brought 911 service to the Conways before the state took it over
• Conway Recreation Committee and Kennett High School committees and Career Days
• Nearly 50 years with the Kiwanis Club of the Mount Washington Valley, serving as club President and as Lt. Governor of the Kiwanis New England District.
  

Celebrating 50 Years

Today, Country Cabinets, etc. is known as "The Kitchen and Bath Source for the Mount Washington Valley," designing and installing kitchens, bathrooms, closets, entertainment centers, home offices and more. Rich and Joy didn't do it alone: our employees have always been our best partners, and their work ethic, care and respect for our clients' homes are why homeowners keep seeking us out.

Rich, Joy and Carrie thank every client who has trusted Country Cabinets, etc. with their home, and every employee who has been part of our extended family over the past 50 years. Great clients and dedicated employees make a winning formula.