VALDOSTA — Tara and John Miltenberger first saw Borkholder furniture when they were looking for furniture of their own. After finding many different manufacturers of lesser quality, they finally decided that the high-end Borkholder pieces were the best available.

The Miltenbergers had always wanted to start a business of their own. After finding this quality furniture, settling in Valdosta with their 3-year-old and planning for retirement from the military, they decided bringing this unique product to Valdosta was the right thing to do.

The name Generations Furniture came to John one day when driving. He and Tara had both considered how the Borkholder furniture lasts longer than a lifetime and decided that because it would last through many generations, that was the perfect name.

Generations Furniture opened for business April 26 and carries only the Borkholder lines.

Borkholder is owned and operated by an Amish family out of Napanee, Ind. The brand name is consistently associated with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality.

Each piece at Generations is Amish handcrafted from solid hardwood, signed and dated by the craftsman and comes with a lifetime warranty. Pieces come in maple, cherry and quarter-sawn oak.

Drawers are duck-tailed in the front and back with solid wood sides and backing. Several pieces have hidden compartments or unique pullout trays that add to the character of the piece.

Generations Furniture offers something for every room in the house. Beds, end tables, display cases, wine cabinets and many other unique pieces are available. Many are actually named after members of the Borkholder family. The furniture’s simple, yet beautiful design will match antiques or modern accessories and the enduring quality ensures every piece will become an heirloom.

Tara Miltenberger manages the store that offers some of the highest quality furniture around. Valdosta is now the only city from North Carolina to Orlando, Fla., to have a store selling Borkholder products.

She isn’t looking to compete with the larger furniture stores in this area. “With such unique furniture, we are really looking to be a niche market,” she explained.

Business has been relatively slow for Generations Furniture, but is expected to pick up this weekend during the Grand Opening Sale.

When asked what future success wasexpected, she replied, “We want to do well enough for this to support us.”

The store is located on North Valdosta Road next to Giradin Jewelers. It is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The Miltenbergers are pleased with their location next to such a well-established business on a road so heavily traveled. They believe Generations Furniture has a lot to offer by bringing a unique, high-end product into the area.