Harmony in Craft
LaGrange Couple Thriving With Harmony Hill Sales Furniture Business
What’s a farming family to do when they reach a certain season of life and the thought of retirement comes to mind?
Well, in the story of Harley and Marilyn Miller, they simply take on a brand-new business venture. The couple, residents of rural LaGrange County, created an opportunity to design custom furniture, using Harley’s practical skills and capable craftsmanship intertwined with Marilyn’s guidance and ingenuity.
Harmony Hill Sales is what the Millers chose to christen their enterprise, which will soon reach the two-year milestone of its inception back in 2023. That summer, recalls Marilyn, “We were busy milking cows, raising corn and hay, but we were also thinking what we could do in our more lenient months, to start something once retirement time comes, so the need isn’t here to work out.”
Meanwhile, Marilyn was realizing a need for something that would create efficiency in her household tasks. She was searching for “a table for a Victoria strainer to do her canning, a table for a water cooler for church or whatever, a table to hold a blender…” and so forth. Multitasking of the highest order is what Marilyn was hoping for, and that is precisely what she received.
Harley went straight to work building the table his wife was envisioning. He obtained Formica tops from Dry Creek Furniture, owned by his brother, John. Then he fashioned a set of wooden legs, and the prototype of the “Handi Multi Serve Table” was completed.
“We advertised it, and it sold well,” Marilyn says.
Eventually, the table was upgraded to feature powder-coated steel legs, optional casters, and adjustable height.
In fairly short order, friends, neighbors and family members reached out to the Millers to ask for assistance in selling select furniture sets and individual pieces. John Miller wondered if his brother’s fledgling business would have room to sell large kitchen suites, as he wanted to broaden his customer base in the LaGrange area. So that inventory was added, and Harmony Hill Sales began making local appearances at such venues as the Home and Yard Sale, held in February at the MEC. The Millers also had a presence at Yoder’s Consignment Sale.
“It was scary at first, but we learned to love it, meeting people, filling their needs, and rewarding to have happy customers as our main goal,” Marilyn says.
Now, Harmony Hill Sales has expanded its product line to include a broad and diverse catalog of items from additional furniture shops: complete hardwood bed sets, bookcases, sewing machine cabinets, light and plant stands, rockers, and custom toys. Many of the Miller grandchildren, of which there are 17, have particularly enjoyed riding the towmotor and the skid loader with removable bucket and forks, built with love and expert precision by their grandfather, Harley. The Millers are also fortunate to work with various styles of wood, and customers can choose what type of shade and stain they would prefer.
Among the newest items in the Harmony Hill Sales inventory are glider rockers and loveseats that are made with waterproof fabrics. There are options that feature footrests, ottomans or swivel motion. The store also offers Nifty blenders and mixers, Aluminum Products, and a line of Poly baskets in varying sizes and purposes, from flower pot hangers to laundry hampers to small handbags. A variety of home décor notions are also available, such as decorative pillows, inspirational plaques, motion-activated lights, and dry-erase boards.
Harley has kept busy with other projects that he’s bringing to fruition. Throughout the store, there are beautifully rendered barn and privacy fence mount lights, all created by Harley’s inspiration.
“It was his own idea, and has sold well,” Marilyn says. “He has met challenges, but it has been worth it.”
And he is far from finished.
“We’re looking to continue to grow, and we’re planning on opening a new building in February,” Harley says. “We’re listening to the public to see what we need.”
The current Harmony Hill Sales showroom is approximately 24 by 40 feet, and the new one will have nearly twice the space, with dimensions of 40 by 60 feet.
Of course, Harley, the man who knows a thing or two about raising buildings, will be the one coordinating this construction as well. It may very well be second nature by now — after all, he built the Miller family home and several outbuildings, too.
Harmony Hill Sales will be hosting an open house over the weekend of Oct. 24–25, with extended hours, light refreshments, and a 10% discount on items in the store. Delivery is available for purchases within the tri-county area encompassed by Elkhart, LaGrange and Noble counties. The business hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The store is closed on Sundays.
For more information, visit the Harmony Hill Sales website at harmonyhillsales.com or stop by and visit the Millers at 1145 W. 100 S., LaGrange. They can also be reached by phone at 260-443-4887.
