Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture brings traditional craftsmanship to University Parkway corridor

SARASOTA -- Customers at Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture can't seem to resist running their hands over the smooth surfaces of the handmade, hardwood dining room tables, Murphy beds, dressers and cabinets.

Each is a sturdy work of art, made primarily by Amish craftsmen in Holmes County, Ohio, but also in Indiana. Some of the upholstered products come from North Carolina, but are not of Amish construction.

Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture recently opened its new store in 18,000 square feet of a former Sweetbay supermarket in the Parkway Collection shopping center on the southeast corner of Lockwood Ridge Road and University Parkway. It is next door to Detwiler's Farm Market, which opened at about the same time.

Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture originally opened in 2002 in Sarasota and has a store at Beneva Road and Bahia Vista.

It's no accident Miller's is next door to Detwiler's on University Parkway.

"We have known them all our lives," Jaimie Miller said of the Detwiler family. "They found this location and approached us about taking some of the space."

The Miller family started working on converting the Sweetbay space into a showroom and warehouse last summer.

"This is about double the space of our location on Beneva Road," Miller said.

Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture sells furniture off the showroom floor -- everything from entertainment centers to rockers, and children's furniture. It also accepts custom orders, and delivers virtually anywhere in Florida.

Tim and Sarah Miller opened the furniture store. They and their five children all work in the business.

Jaimie Miller handles the financials for the company, but like all family members, does a little bit of everything.

"Our largest category of sales is dining room tables and chairs," Miller said.

Also popular are their Murphy beds, the finely

made cabinets that hide a foldout bed.

"They are a huge seller, especially in Florida," Miller said of the need for visitor accommodations that can be made to virtually disappear.

Miller's has a strong following from Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, and the new store shaves miles and adds convenience for Manatee County residents, she said.

Brandon Keim, the manager of the new Miller's store, said he was more than pleased with customer reception.

"So far we have had an unbelievable amount of business and people coming through here," Keim said.

Prices vary depending on the complexity, components and finish of the product. A dining room table and six chairs might sell from $1,300 to $10,000, while a Murphy bed ranges from $2,500 to $10,000.

In addition to the traditional quality of the craftsmanship evident in the furniture, the gentle nature of the Amish faith is reflected in signs displayed around the store.

"Let all that you do be done in love," reads one, quoting a passage from Corinthians.

Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture is open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

For information, call 941-960-2942 or visit dutchhausfurniture.com/.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter @jajones1.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture brings traditional craftsmanship to University Parkway corridor ."