Willis Miller purchased the canvas shop in Milford in 2007. Though he didn’t have a background in the industry, his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to pursue a new opportunity.
Nearly two decades later, Miller, owner of Miller’s Custom Canvas Shop, is an expert in what boat owners need to protect and maintain their investments.
“We use name-brand materials made in the U.S., and they are custom-fitted to your specific boat,” Miller said. “There are probably 30 different color options. Many customers want the cover to match the seats in the boat or even the siding on their home. Some homeowners’ associations or apartment complexes even have a specific color requirement for the boat and lift cover.”
After spending several thousand dollars for days on the lake, fishing and swimming, protecting that investment is key.
The biggest difference between a custom canvas and a store-bought boat cover or tarp is the product’s durability and level of protection.
Cheaper, ill-fitting covers tear easily, fade in color and often shred on the highway before reaching the water.
“It’s going to fit properly. We make a trip out to the lake to measure a canopy or boat lift to ensure it’s a custom fit. The material is designed to shed water properly, so you won’t have pooling,” Miller said.
Much of the business comes from customers traveling from Chicago, Indianapolis and parts of Ohio to Lake Wawasee in Syracuse.
It’s the largest natural lake in Indiana and has long been a go-to summer destination, drawing visitors such as Al Capone and Eli Lilly.
“Several years ago, someone said there were around 6,000 boats registered on that lake alone, and we, at Miller’s Custom Canvas Shop, only touch a fraction of them,” Miller said. “I’m not a lake person myself, but when you go out there, you can see there’s an
entire community that you might not be aware of if you didn’t visit. People love it out there.”
For Miller, success is about finding the right product for each customer who walks through the door. Many come through referrals from neighbors, friends or family. Some return after a decade to replace a cover; others are drawn by the sleek, tailored look.
It’s the relationships that bring customers back.
“We enjoy seeing a finished, well-fitted, custom-colored boat cover go down the road. I hope it means the customer is satisfied and it’s another job well done,” Miller said.
For those not heading to the lake this summer, Miller’s business also includes other offerings.
The company provides commercial sewing for factories across the state and beyond, and it offers custom window treatments for the home.
Even customers who come in for canvas work often pause to browse the display of window products.
“The roller shades come in different fabrics, and we offer custom blinds and shades for your windows,” Miller said.
There are three primary styles: solar, which allows visibility through the shade while reducing sunlight; light filtering, which lets light in while maintaining privacy; and blackout, which blocks all light.
Whether on or off the water, this season, Miller aims to provide products that protect customers’ investments at reasonable prices.
Miller’s Custom Canvas is located at 12711 N. 400 West in Milford. For more information, call 574-658-4976.
