Founded in 2005, Grassland Granite began as a small shop servicing local customers in the Aberdeen area with custom stone countertops. This year marks its 20th anniversary.
The company expanded over the years, adding more advanced machinery and a dedicated cabinet division, TruFinish WoodWorx.
“We started small, but as demand grew, so did our team and our capabilities,” said Aberdeen designer Sasha Dutenhoffer. “We’re proud to be involved in every step of the process, from design to installation, ensuring quality and customer satisfaction.”
Grassland Granite and TruFinish WoodWorx offers a range of products, including countertops, custom cabinetry, flooring, closet systems, and innovative features such as the invisible cooktop and backlit and heated countertops, Dutenhoffer adds.
Both the Boulder Colony and Grassland Colony own and operate Grassland Granite and TruFinish WoodWorx. They have two showroom locations, one in Aberdeen and the other in Watertown.
“As the business and Grassland Colony expanded, the decision was made to divide the colony and establish a second one, thus, Boulder Colony was formed,” explained Dutenhoffer. “After Boulder became more established, the cabinet shop was relocated there, near Hosmer.”
Boulder Colony operates the TruFinish WoodWorx shop building custom cabinetry, closet systems, and laminate countertops. Grassland Colony manufactures stone countertops, including granite, quartz, marble, quartzite, and porcelain.
The two shops have top-of-the-line machinery and precise assembly lines where wood and stone are cut, assembled, and ready to be introduced into a customer’s home.
“The unique thing about our cabinet company versus some others in the area is that we also offer installation,” said Dutenhoffer. “A lot of companies make the product, deliver it, and then you’re on your own, but we offer installation as a service that we can provide at an extra charge.”
Customers are able to establish what their space needs, what they’re looking for, what finishes they like, as well as what accessories they’d like to add with the help of their design team.
Carrie Bartscher, Sasha Dutenhoffer, Kim Nelson, and Courtney Holt
“Our company is involved from start to finish. We not only sell you the product, but we also manufacture it.”
–SaSHA Dutenhoffer
“We guide them through the showroom, showcasing various displays and finish options, allowing them to touch and feel different materials,” said Dutenhoffer.
Both the Aberdeen and Watertown showrooms have two designers who can help customers make their visions tangible.
“Us four girls man the showrooms,” said Dutenhoffer. “We are the faces customers see at the beginning of the process when they are picking out their color choices and designing their layouts.”
After getting a general sense of what the client wants and measurements of the space are taken, the designers will use their 3D program to create a visual representation of the layout for the customer.
“Some people have a hard time visualizing what products will look like in their space, and the 3D program really helps us make the vision come to life,” said Dutenhoffer.
Once they have approval and the job site is ready, everything will get a final measure. Measurements are given to the shop, and countertop and cabinet creation begins.
DESIGN TIPS FROM THE PROS
CONSIDER ACCESSORIES SUCH AS UNDER-CABINET/COUNTER TOP LIGHTING FOR FUNCTION AND STYLE.
2. DON’T OVERLOOK HARDWARE IT’S THE JEWELRY OF CABINETS.
3. MIX TEXTURES FOR A MODERN LOOK.
20 YEARS OF SERVICE
The 20th Anniversary Open House will be held on September 12 at the Aberdeen Showroom.
Plans are drawn, cutting measurements are then established, materials get cut, and finally the installation process starts. Dutenhoffer says the process is seamless.
“We all work really well together,” said Dutenhoffer. “Everyone has their spot and position they do, and without one of us, we wouldn’t work. We need each of us to do our job to make the best product.”
As mentioned, Grassland Granite and TruFinish WoodWorx doesn’t just focus on cabinets and countertops, they also outfit closet systems for bedrooms and pantries.
There’s also a wide variety of national flooring options from Cole’s Flooring, Southwind Floors, and MSI Flooring, and sink options from Sink Source and Karran Sinks.
“We thoroughly enjoy working with both colonies. They are genuinely sweet, caring people. that’s one of the best parts of the job working for people that are very kind and very giving.”
–sasha Dutenhoffer
Dutenhoffer says every sector of home improvements Grassland and TruFinish serves is guaranteed a high level of quality.
“Our quality control is going to be higher because we have our hands in the process from start to finish,” she continued. “We have more control over what the product looks like coming out the door, and everyone involved is very passionate about the product and service.”
Community support also helps show the level of quality and care invested in Grassland and TruFinish, Dutenhoffer adds, demonstrated by being a member of the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Home Builders Association, and Watertown Home Builders Association.
“We have a well known name in the Aberdeen area and beyond,” said Dutenhoffer. “We travel statewide, and even up into North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Word of mouth has definitely been one of our best assets.
”She continued, “We take pride in our products for a reason.”
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