Randy’s Booth Company makes a name for itself in Crystal
Even if you haven’t heard of Randy’s Booth Company in Crystal, you’ve probably sat on their products.
It’s a business that’s made a niche for itself with custom-made furnishings for restaurants, hotels, and casinos across the country.
Last fall, the business moved to Crystal to expand after 40 years in northeast Minneapolis.
Every product at Randy’s Booth Company is handcrafted. There is no mass production here. Every furnishing is custom-made.
“Each project is unique, if you could dream it, we could build it,” said Bert Kissoondath, owner of Randy’s Booth Company.
Kissoondath’s dad, Randy, started the company in Minneapolis in 1978 after emigrating from the Caribbean in the 1960s.
“He’s always been into upholstery and wood-making and came from Trinidad and Tobago when he was 17 years old and came with the background of upholstery from his father,” said Kissoondath.
Under the direction of son, Bert, the company has grown from five employees in 2006 to 28 workers now with room to grow at the new Crystal location.
“We have diversified through the years into more hospitality, soft seating, lounges, schools, cafeterias,” said Kissoondath.
Examples of the company’s work stretch from the remake of the Minneapolis Armory, which hosted Super Bowl concerts and parties, to seating and tables at restaurants and for offices and senior living facilities.
In this business, it’s not easy finding workers who can do the job.
“It’s kind of a dying art,” said seamstress Jill Julich. “We have a hard time finding people that do this anymore. Most people don’t even think about having their furniture reupholstered anymore. You just go buy new.”
Julich is the company’s only on-site seamstress, but there’s work for more. Saul Hildago has been doing upholstery for 20 years, but you don’t learn the skill overnight.
“It takes time, but at least two, three years to get it,” said Hildago.
Still, there’s a demand for handcrafted, custom-made furnishings, and Randy’s Booth Company is one of the few who can still do it.
“It lasts forever because it’s all solid wood,” said Kissoondath of his company’s product.
Randy’s Booth Company has done work in all of the Crave restaurants, including an upcoming project to create seating for the new Crave location in Maple Grove.
