Awning, upholstery man Bob Smith says it's time to retire

Bob Smith has a sign taped to the inside of the front door of his Nassau Commons business.

“Old upholsterers never die - they always recover.”

That may be true, but it doesn’t mean they can’t retire. And that’s exactly what Smith is doing.

After the third week in September, Smith’s Canvas and Upholstery will be no more. “I’ve been in business now for 36 years. I’m 62. I’ve worked hard. I’ve enjoyed my customers and my work. But it’s time. I haven’t been taking on any new work since June when I made the decision, and it feels good. Last weekend I was sitting in my garage husking sweet corn and drinking a beer, feeling no stress, and I knew the decision was a good one.”

Smith started in the business when he was 16 years old as an apprentice to Bob Palmer. Then, in 1978, he rented space in Jim Horn’s Confidential Services building at Five Points and started out on his own. “I enjoy making awnings; I enjoy making upholstery, and I enjoy working on boats. I have had lots of absolutely wonderful customers. And then there’s that other 5 percent. Well, we won’t talk about them. But, I really do appreciate my faithful customers through the years.”

Smith bought a piece of commercial property from Bob Raley in the Nassau Commons area in 1997, built a new office and shop, and opened his new location in April 1998.

The bulk of Smith’s business through the years has been in the Lewes, Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach area. “All the awnings at the Rusty Rudder, the Lighthouse, Irish Eyes, Purple Parrot - they’ve kept me busy.”

Smith said he’s seen change through the years. “People don’t reupholster their furniture as much as they used to. There’s so much throwaway furniture. And this is a trade where you work with your hands. No one wants to do that anymore. It’s a shame. But I’ve enjoyed it, and it’s been a good living.”

Smith said he has sold his commercial property but will only say that another business will be moving in. “It’s another shop, but that’s all I can say.”

People ask Smith who they’re going to go to now. “I tell them: ‘You’ll have to figure that out. Find someone else.'  It’s time for me to retire. I’m happy as a clam. And I’ll still be busy. My wife has a list for me three miles long.”