Fine craftsmanship key to continued demand
Coming out of high school in 1983, Stuart MacDonald
planned to finish his apprenticeship in carpentry. Working
to complete his apprenticeship, Stuart took on a variety
of jobs through the years following his graduation and
throughout that time he continued to manufacture cabinets
for himself, family and friends, as he had done while still in
the carpentry program at Westisle High School.
 “As an apprentice,” explains Stuart, “I did a bit of everything
in carpentry and woodworking.”
He says he always had a ?are for and especially enjoyed
doing detailed, fine-carpentry work and so continued to develop
his skills and craftsmanship in that area while, “doing
all sorts of jobs to make a living.”
Stuart explains, “I’ve always liked doing work that is detailed
and challenging. Cabinetry was right up my alley.”
Twelve years ago, Stuart opened his own business and
within two years S.A.M. Custom Cabinets & Doors was
a going concern, specializing in kitchen cabinetry, cabinet
doors, custom counter tops and producing an assortment
of mouldings.
Initially operating as a sole proprietor, two years into
the business Stuart named his operation ‘S.A.M. Custom
Cabinets & Doors’ and hired staff to help meet demand for
his services. Over the years, the workforce has fluctuated
somewhat, peaking at four full-time positions, including
Stuart, for a nine-month stretch.
Operating the year round business with a basic workforce
of three, including himself, Stuart is currently looking
for another person to join the team, including himself and
Jason Perry, who joined the company three and a half years
ago.
Jason went to S.A.M. Custom Cabinets & Doors relatively
untrained in cabinetry, but over the years has become
a well-rounded craftsman.
Stuart is the first to acknowledge his staff plays a significant
STUART MACDONALD (left), owner of S.A.M.
Custom Cabinets and Doors stops to talk
with Jason Perry as he applies stain to a
cabinet door. Jason has been with the company
since 2002.

role in the company’s overall success and is looking for
the right individual to ?ll a recently created full-time, year
round position.
Initially working out of a garage beside his Main Street
home in O’Leary, Stuart built a new house on Ellis Avenue
in 1999 and the following year built a new shop alongside
his new home.
“We do mostly residential work,” explains Stuart, but
notes, “we’ve also done quite a bit of commercial work, including
government buildings, rental cottages and motels.”
While the shop has shipped some products to New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia, their key market is from North
Cape to Charlottetown, where they not only manufacture
the products, but also install them.
“Eighty per cent of our work is for contractors,” explains
Stuart. “Same as any other sub-contractor, we work for
other fellows.” The other 20 per cent includes custom work
directly for consumers.
Known for quality craftsmanship throughout the area,
Stuart notes that S.A.M. Custom Cabinets & Doors,
“would never survive without the support of the general
public and contractors in West Prince.”
He concludes, “I especially want to thank everyone for
their continued support.”