The Proprietor
Leroy Nolte grew up in a one-bay garage that smelled like cedar shavings.
By the time he was twelve, Leroy was running a hand plane for his grandfather Earl, a self-taught carpenter who had spent forty years building cabinets and pews for churches across Madison and Buncombe counties. He learned to mill before he learned to drive.
After a decade and a half of working under Earl, Leroy struck out on his own in 2015 with a 1,400 square foot shop on Diamond Street and a single commission — a walnut sideboard for a neighbor in Weaverville. That sideboard is still in use today.
Tucker Ridge Heritage Co. grew slowly, on purpose. Today the shop runs with four full-time craftsmen, a finishing room, and a stubborn refusal to take on more work than the team can finish properly.
