Clark’s Country Oaks Offers Ability to Customize Furniture

Waterloo-Tom Clark is definitely from home, as a matter of fact, he’s a third generation Waterloo business owner. When he purchased Country Oaks by J.C. 10 years ago and became Clark’s Country Oaks he was following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

When he moved from the business’ original location in 2003 to the current location of 110 S. Church Street in Waterloo, he took a step even closer to his family’s business legacy.

“My dad owned Clark’s TV for 32 years so I was brought up in the retail/service business. My grandfather was a partner in Clark and Weber American Motors and Ahne's Bakery (right up the street at 201 W. Mill St.) has been owned by my aunt and uncle for 34 years, and they’ve all essentially been on one block of Church Street. Someone told me that the street should be renamed to Clark Street, but I said ‘I’m not messing with the name Church Street’,” Clark laughed.

His family’s business history and because his family has lived in Monroe County for six generations, helps explain why he believes in the Think Monroe County First (TMCF)program.
“I believe in it (TMCF) because I was born and raised here. Other business have come and gone, but I’m the third generation of Clarks servicing Monroe County. Obviously we have some history here.”

The decision to leave the printing industry to become a business owner came after his wife worked several Christmas seasons for the former owner. Clark said he and his wife, Becky, were already considering opening their own business and that they loved the oak furniture so it was a good fit.

“What you do comes easy and more natural when you love it and it shows to the customer,” he added.

What also shows to the customer is great service, and Clark offers plenty of that. Customers will find Amish and American made furniture, the majority of which is oak, for every room of the house. They will also discover that Clark will work with them to customize a piece to fit their needs.

“We specialize in customizing furniture. We’ll take a piece of furniture and make it meet their needs; for example, adding glass or adding/removing a drawer. We custom order to their specs and have even gone from a drawing. We had an O’Fallon couple who wanted bookcases on the sides of their fireplace. They wanted them to look built in, but to be free standing so we customized from their drawing,” said Clark.

Clark’s Country Oaks also offers Amish-maintenance free outdoor furniture that is made of polyethylene, which is derived from post-consumer bottle waste such as milk containers.
Clark, who resides in Waterloo with his wife, 19-year-old son Greg, and is a new grandfather to his daughter Elisabeth’s eight-week old son, Quincy, is also a member of several other local organizations.

He is the outgoing president of the Waterloo Kiwanis’, a member of the Waterloo Merchants Group and the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of Helping Hands.
You can find Clark’s Country Oaks at 110 S. Church Street in Waterloo, alongside S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church or online at www.clarkscountryoaks.com. Clark can be reached at 618-939-3659 or clarksco@htc.net.

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. (depending on the time of year); Saturday-9 a.m. to 3 or 5 p.m. (depending on the time of year).