Five Points Gets Big Contract
By Dennis Phillips dphillips@ post-journal.comArticle Photos
LITTLE VALLEY - When Holiday Valley Ski Resort in Ellicottville was looking for new hand-crafted, wood manufactured chairs for its new Tamarack Club luxury living complex, resort officials could have gone anywhere in the country looking for the product they wanted.
When the ski resort went looking they didn't go looking nationally, but stayed local because of the quality products being manufactured by Five Points Custom Woodworking in Little Valley.
Five Points is a small family-owned business established in 1976 by Larry Tocha and his wife, Carolyn. Tocha said he was working a nine-to-five job for someone else in 1972 when he decided to move to the country and become involved in an occupation that is less industrial.
''I believe it was what I was supposed to be doing,'' he said. ''You've got to do something that is close to your soul.''
Tocha said it has been a ''long road'' running his company for more than 30 years. That is why in 2006, Larry and Carolyn's son Dusk also joined the family business as a journeyman to learn the trade. Larry's experience and craftsmanship and Dusk's new energy, enthusiasm and fresh new ideas makes a strong combination for the future of the company.
''It's a good feeling teaching my son. My son is 34. He's not a little kid, but you still get that same father-son feeling,'' he said. ''It makes your life feel more worthwhile that he has picked up what I've done my whole life.''
Tocha said being able to make something tangible that is appreciated by his customers is a great feeling.
''(It's great) when you can see they appreciate what you've done,'' he said. ''You've produced it and there it is and the customer appreciates it. That is a tangible, direct relationship you have with the customer.''
Tocha said Holiday Valley purchasing the custom made Adirondack Chairs is the largest business deal Five Points has ever done.
''My son had seen that their chairs weren't holding up to the abuse of the environment and we worked for a long time on the deal,'' he said. ''They liked what we were doing and that if you take care of the chairs they will last forever. It's the biggest business deal we've ever pulled off.''
The distinctive features of the Adirondack chairs is the wood used, the strength, the marine construction and the design's comfort, Tocha said. He said solid cherry hardwood was Five Point's choice of wood because of its strength, rot resistance, natural beauty and local availability.
The chairs are also available for home owners and for the general public to purchase and enjoy for years.
For more info about Adirondack chairs and other high quality custom furniture, visit www.fivepnts.com or call 938-6315.




