CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- Danny Bell began woodworking in his basement as a hobby and avenue of healing.
A year later, his hobby has turned into an exciting business venture that he hopes to use to help others in the community, especially military and veterans.
Bell, a soldier with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Airborne, is a devoted husband, father to four children and will soon be opening a local business in the Sango community.
The Hardwood Grove, a specialty lumber reseller for woodwork enthusiasts and fine furniture retail store, will open on Saturday, Nov. 30. Located at 2535 Madison Street, in the former location of the Yarn Asylum, the new business is a one-stop-shop that serves a dual purpose.
The store will offer woodwork supplies and merchandise. Items such as epoxy, woodworking tools, little river table kits and a variety of tools will be sold.
Bell will also sell handmade fine furniture and fulfill special orders.
The shop will house a Night Stalker Association satellite-store to benefit NSA families, as well as merchandise from the Purple Heart Project, a special program for combat-wounded vets. sponsored by Rob Cosman, a world-renowned woodworker.
The Hardwood Grove will open on November 30, 2019, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Coping to Planing
Planer’s Edge, LLC, began in 2018 in Bell’s basement as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, and PTSD.
Originally from New Hampshire, Bell watched his father build as a young boy and later went on to build cabinets in high school. While he worked in construction post-graduation, he had a passion for music. That passion led him to become a professional rapper and breakdancer.
In 2006, he joined the Army and life became busy. He took a break from woodworking to focus on his family and career.
A year ago, a mental health specialist advised him to take up his old pastime as a way to relieve stress. He began converting a portion of his basement into his workshop and picked up his planer, a tool used to shape wood using muscle power to force the cutting blade over the wood surface.
His projects quickly increased and he began to sell a few pieces. People started ordering and his workshop expanded. He needed to find good wood for the tables, benches, entertainment centers and other furniture he was making.
“I was looking around and thinking there are not a lot of places to get good wood in Clarksville,” Bell said. “I found a place in Cottage Grove, Tennessee and they had really good stuff out there. I said, ‘This is my new spot!’ I bought wood from them and made tables.”
Bell would make the hour and a half drive to the Cottage Grove mill. The mill was beautiful and offered quality supplies and kiln-dried wood. Then came some bad news.
“They told me that they were selling their wood business,” Bell said. “He kind of joked with me and said, ‘You want to buy a wood business?’ I laughed and said, ‘I don’t know. Give me the owner’s number.’ I talked to the owner and talked him into selling me his business. It’s a major turnkey wood mill in Cottage Grove TN.”
The mill, currently named Butler Adams Hardwoods, is located at 2118 Hayes Road, Cottage Grove, Tenn. It will be re-named Planer’s Edge, LLC on December 1st. It will be the kiln-dried lumber supplier for The Hardwood Grove storefront in Clarksville.
Jenna Bell, his wife, and a few veterans will operate both the Hardwood Grove and Planer’s Edge, LLC. Danny Bell will work on projects and continue to serve active-duty in the Army.
The owners have many plans for the new store, including a special visit by Rob Cosman. The Purple Heart Program allows woodworkers who are veterans or active duty to fly to Canada for an all-expense-paid workshop focused on healing and learning. Cosman will visit the new store in January to share his experiences and knowledge.
Like Cosman, Bell hopes that his journey will lead to not only business success but a life-changing experience for those in the community. He hopes to start workshops and teach DIY classes in the future.
Learn more about The Hardwood Grove and Planer’s Edge Mill at https://www.facebook.com/Planersedge/
https://www.facebook.com/thehardwoodgrove/
Their web address will be hardwoodgrove.com and www.planersedge.com which are to be relaunched this month.
Follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/planersedge/