By Matt de Simone
Step inside Family Heirloom Furniture, and chances are your first reaction will be the same as most visitors: “Wow.”
The new furniture store, tucked just off the main road in Fincastle, isn’t your typical showroom filled with mass-produced pieces. Instead, customers will find handcrafted tables, chairs, bedroom sets, and recliners – furniture built to last for generations.
The shop is managed by Bob Joyce, who has been in the furniture business since the mid-1990s. His son, Tim Joyce, owns the store and is carrying forward the family’s tradition of craftsmanship.
“We started back in 1995, building dining room tables out of our shop in Gap Mills, West Virginia,” Bob explained. “Over the years, we realized there was a real need for quality, solid-wood furniture – pieces that weren’t just disposable, but built for family life. That’s what we’re continuing here in Fincastle.”
Most of the pieces in Family Heirloom Furniture come directly from Amish craftsmen in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Customers can choose from a wide variety of woods – including oak, cherry, maple, walnut, and hickory – as well as dozens of stains and hundreds of fabric options.
“If someone needs a dining table a foot longer, or a TV stand built to fit a certain wall, we can have it made to their specifications,” Bob said. “We work directly with the shops. It’s almost like a customer-craftsman relationship – we’re right in between, helping people get exactly what they want.”
That flexibility sets Family Heirloom apart from box stores. While you can walk out with a table or recliner the same day, most customers take advantage of the ability to order customized pieces designed to fit their homes perfectly.
Bob points out that the furniture sold here is solid wood – not veneer or particle board. “This is furniture that can be passed down,” he said. “When you invest in something that lasts, you’re not just buying a table, you’re buying memories. You’ll remember the family meals, the scratches from the kids doing homework, all those little marks that tell a story.”
He chuckled recalling one customer who asked if he should cover his new table with a glass top. “I told him, you could – but you want the kids’ carvings in that wood. You’ll look back and see the history in it. That’s what makes it an heirloom.”
The name Family Heirloom Furniture is no accident. The Joyces believe that running a business should reflect their values. “For us, it starts with faith, family, and honesty,” Bob said. “We treat our customers like friends, and we stand behind what we sell.”
Even the store’s hours reflect those priorities. Family Heirloom is open Tuesday through Saturday, but always closed on Sundays. “Like Chick-fil-A,” Bob joked. Special appointments can be made Monday-Saturday by calling 540-473-0147.
The store features a mix of traditional and modern designs, from Shaker-style dining tables to cozy recliners with hidden storage. Custom bedroom sets are especially popular – one recent customer ordered a bed with seven drawers built into the frame.
Photos by Matt de Simone
There are also unique touches, like nightstands with hidden compartments and outdoor furniture that blends durability with comfort.
Though the Fincastle location only opened this past Memorial Day, business is already picking up. Bob hopes the store will become the go-to destination for anyone in the region looking for quality furniture.
“We’ve already had customers tell us they’ve been to the big box stores, but couldn’t find what they were looking for,” he said. “That’s when they come here and, usually, they’re amazed at what’s possible.”
Family Heirloom Furniture is located in the old Fincastle laundromat at 755 Botetourt Road beside the Exxon gas station. Business hours are Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Monday by appointment. Closed Sundays.
To learn more, visit Family Heirloom Furniture’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/p/Family-Heirloom-Furniture-61576721445146.
