My love affair with wood as a heat source started early; roasting marshmallows by the open fire on cold nights. While living in Bonny Doon and going to Santa Cruz High, we used wood to heat our home and after I graduated I cut firewood to pay for my tuition at UCSC. It wasn’t until I went back to the East Coast in 1979 to visit family that I got drawn into the Hearth industry as a potential lifelong profession. A chimney sweep came to the house to clean the fireplace and I joined him on the roof top. After six months’ apprenticeship I returned to Santa Cruz where I was promptly hired by a local fireplace shop. I worked as an installer for 3 years of mastering all facets of installation I returned to sweeping chimneys fulltime.
In 1989 I opened my retail stove and fireplace showroom at 844 17th Ave. In the winter of 1992 I expanded to carry Hot Tubs in addition to the wood, gas and pellet stoves and related equipment. By the year 2000 I had installed over 3000 stove personally and sold over 3000 more. At this time I also had a young family and wanted to be more present for them, so I sold the stove division and decided to run the spa division. In October 2006 I re-opened my stove division,and am invigorated and excited about the industry, which for years warmed both my family, and my heart. The current economy required I move from 17th Ave. and downsize in this current location. I am finding a comfort in being a small store again. I get to interact with all my customers in a more personal and intimate level. I look forward to helping you stay safely warm in the years to come.
Namaste
Sean Camp
