Overcoming Fire and Challenges

My workshop and my Furniture business, Tony Monaco Furniture Design, have been my life for 35 years since I finished trade school. On December 20, the Chambord Building where my workshop is located was destroyed by a tragic fire which took the lives of two people. [Article from Dec 23 ] We know the source of the blaze was not in my shop, but experts are still determining the where and how.

[video: Fire in Hoboken Dec 21 ]

 

Overnight, I found myself out of business. The shop is no longer accessible and relocation will be required to resume activity. The cost of moving a woodworking shop is very high, including the expense of renting equipment to lift heavy machinery out of the windows from the 3rd floor. In the meantime, since it may be several months before I can even begin a relocation, my income streams including rent from spaces I subleased will be halted.

 

In addition to the destruction of my place of business, my health has been declining this year and just three weeks ago, after several months of evaluation, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Medical bills have piled up ($ 6000 for the year 2021) as have uncertainties about my future medical needs. Before the fire, I had started contemplating the modifications I could make to my business to be able to continue working and making a living with my new physical limitations. Without a space to operate from, all those options are off the table.

 

I have overcome many obstacles and, through them all, remained committed to having a productive life doing what I love with wonderful colleagues in the building. For those of you who don’t know me, here is a snippet of my personal story. I was born with a severe hearing impairment (95 % loss on the left ear and 75% loss in the right). At age 11, I suffered a head trauma which led to a stroke and resulted in a disability (seizures and a semi-paralyzed right arm) and I had to relearn everything (language, reading, using my left hand instead of my right, etc.). From a young age, woodworking has been my passion. I completed high school and went to Boston University to pursue and develop my craft. I first established my shop in Hoboken in the Chambord Place building (formerly known as the Mighty Fine Pudding building) in the late 80’s. With my colleagues Kalle Fauset and Tom Hucker, I am one of the oldest craftspeople there. I have worked hard, employed many others working their way up, and, in spite of my physical limitations, achieved a high level of success as a furniture designer, turner and fine cabinet maker. You can see pictures of my work on my Instagram account:

Instagram Account

or my website at tonymonaco.com

Website Tony Monaco

 

The sudden loss of my shop and livelihood has turned my life upside down. I am 58 and still have more to contribute in my craft. If you can help me get back on my feet and re-establish my business in a different space, my gratitude would be inexpressible.