Country Wood
Local Business Offers Variety of Birdhouses & Bird Feeders
Writer / Matt Keating
Photography Provided
Marlin Yoder, owner of Country Wood in Topeka, started his birdhouse and bird feeder business as a side job to make additional money. He says hes glad he did because he enjoys working at two different jobs where he can apply his skills.
I opened this business in April of 2014 after taking it over from two previous owners, Yoder says. Its been a good side income for me, and its something I really like doing. The two jobs are very different, but Im making something at both jobs, which is great. It gives me a lot of satisfaction.
Yoder works full-time at Grey Wolf Forest River in Topeka, Indiana, where he works on the shilling for RV roofs. He says he likes working with his hands to build things. It gives him a good feeling to build items that other people will enjoy.
Ive had people tell me they like the quality of my birdhouses and bird feeders, Yoder says. Most of my products are made of cedar wood, which my customers appreciate. The wonderful thing about cedar wood is that its a very sturdy and durable hardwood. It holds up well in both cold and warm weather, and insects dont damage it either. Cedar wood also looks good. It looks great with other things in a yard, too.
Country Wood offers bluebird birdhouses, which have proven to be popular with customers.
The bluebird bird houses are great, Yoder says. They dont decay, and they have a longer life span. We also have wren bird houses, and people really like the three different types of Wren birdhouses we offer. The birdhouses are made of pine, and they come in six different colors for the roofs of the birdhouses. Ive had a nice response from customers who love them. That makes me feel good.
Country Wood also has a variety of bird feeders.
We also have barn feeders and gazebo bird feeders, which have rooms on the inside and birds love them, Yoder says. They look good because they are handmade. I make sure all of the birdhouses are very high quality.
Yoder added that he also has suet bird feeders and two different types of oriole feeders.
I make the suet feeders so that birds can really peck at bigger pieces of food, Yoder says. I make them so birds can really perch on the feeder. The oriole feeders are all really nice, and my customers have responded well to those. There are a lot of bird watchers in this area, and the birdhouses and bird feeders have made people very happy.
Country Wood offers classic feeders as well.
We have winter type bird feeders that have been popular, Yoder says. Im hoping to do some outdoor cedar crafts in the future.
Yoder adds that he also ships his birdhouses and bird feeders out through Fed Ex and says that most of his business is wholesale.
I have customers who buy my birdhouses and bird feeders to sell in their own stores or businesses, he says, I do sell retail here as well. Ive been lucky to have regular customers.
Yoder also makes sewing boxes and mailboxes.
I have three different types of mailboxes, he says. I have house mailboxes, barn mailboxes, and barn boxes with a newspaper box attached. They all look very nice, and they are very sturdy. I also make feeders at the bottom of the bird feeders, and Im hoping to make cedar chests in the future. I think those would be great for customers. There are a lot of people who really enjoy those, and I think I could make those to be sturdy and look good too.
Yoder says he enjoys living in Topeka, Indiana, and likes the peace and quiet.
Ive lived here my whole life, and I love the people here, he says. Its a great place to live and grow up. People are nice and its
very pretty here. Ive met some great people here over the years.
To find out more about Country Wood, located at 8075 W. 750 S., Topeka, Indiana, call Yoder at (260) 593-0065.
