Business Focus: Conroe Upholstery & Supply

Photos by Kelly Sue Photography

After a long day’s work, the tensions of the day melt away as you sink down into a comfy chair to enjoy your favorite TV show or a good book. Fortunately for us, there are talented individuals who practice their skills in the art of furniture restoration and upholstering, enabling us to delight in these times of relaxation! Mike Fonseca is one of these talented individuals, and is the owner of Conroe Upholstery and Supply on East Davis Street in Conroe, just minutes from I-45. A visit to his business will showcase the skill and craftsmanship involved in coordinating fabrics and colors, upholstering, and restoring wood finishes to bring your older furniture back to life again.

Mike and his two brothers, David and Joe, all fluent in English and Spanish, learned the business from their father Jose, who began upholstery work at the age of 11 in Mexico. Jose eventually moved to Conroe, started a family, and began an upholstery business at the East Davis Street location. All three boys grew up assisting their dad in the business and learning the craft. Mike owns Conroe Upholstery and Supply, the original business his dad started 45 years ago. David has an upholstery business in Huntsville, The Upholstery Room, as well as a restaurant, El Gordo Taqueria (both located on 11th Street), and Joe owns Classic Upholstery in Conroe. All three sons have specialized in various areas of upholstery and refinishing and take great pride in their restoration of cars, boats, and aircraft, in addition to all types of furniture. No job is beyond the scope of their expertise.

For a business to be successful and to have a 45 year longevity, it takes a quality product and great service. Conroe Upholstery and Supply has achieved this success through the hard work of Mike and his dedicated employees. He currently employs three individuals who have all had many years with the company. Victor Fonseca, who expertly mans the sewing machine, and Noe Suaraz, adept in upholstery work, have both been employed for over 20 years; Manuel Alcozar, who excels at wood refinishing, has been with the company for over 10 years. This long-term work relationship benefits the customers, who come from Conroe, The Woodlands and surrounding areas, seeking excellent craftsmanship and reputable, dependable service. The 3,000 square foot facility is abuzz with the sights and sounds that bring this place to life each day! Measuring and cutting, sewing and stapling, and the constant shuffling of feet as furniture is moved here and there, as one job is completed and another gets underway—these sounds and the constant ringing of the phone testify to a full workload every day.

Mike and his crew can restore anything you bring in, but he says, “My real love is working with furniture.” Your family heirlooms can be entrusted to him for beautiful and complete restoration and repair. While touring the facility, I spotted one such piece, an oak highchair that has been restored to a beautiful golden luster and is an heirloom piece guaranteed to bring back many warm memories! This particular piece has been through three family generations and will soon serve a fourth. What a blessing to have such highly skilled people to entrust with this treasure.

Another item that caught my attention was an old steamer trunk, very dilapidated, with broken strips of wood covering its top, and a deteriorated interior to match. Mike and his crew will be refinishing the interior with cedar, and restoring the trunk in such a way as to retain its antique appearance. No doubt, when they finish the job, it will be a family treasure and source of pride. One other piece that deserves mentioning is an old office chair belonging to a customer’s grandpa, expertly reupholstered in leather, and the wood restored to a soft luster finish. Grandpa would be proud!

Mike occasionally builds his own furniture. A large bed with an upholstered leather headboard is one such item, and serves as a focal piece for his showroom area. Also on display were some unique, one-of-a-kind pillows made from deer hide, the fruit of his own hunting labors. So, there is an idea for you hunters out there! Bring in those hides and let the capable crew at Conroe Upholstery transform them into a piece of usable art, a pillow, a sofa, or that all-time favorite, a plush recliner! A couch reupholstered in coordinated leather and fabric showcases Mike’s skill and artistry in combining fabrics, leathers, and colors, as well as his attention to detail. Conroe Upholstery has a large selection of fabric samples from which to choose. No project is too large or too small for Mike and his capable crew to tackle, and pick-up and delivery service is available.

With home movie theaters being so popular these days, Mike and his crew have upholstered rooms, providing beautiful and creative showplaces, while meeting the acoustical needs of this type of environment. In the commercial realm, restaurant seating is another place where comfort is a must! When you enjoy a meal at Margarita’s in Conroe or Huntsville, you may be seated at a booth which was upholstered by Conroe Upholstery and Supply. Thank Mike and his crew for your comfort!

Mike has a twelve year old son who loves to play baseball, and a daughter who recently graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in advertising and marketing. As Mike says, “I am old school, but my daughter insists that we should have a Facebook page.” She plans to help her dad with this aspect of the business.

Conroe Upholstery and Supply offers first class service and workmanship with neighborly charm and enthusiasm. I really enjoyed my time spent visiting with Mike. In addition to being an expert in all areas of furniture restoration, he has a cheerful personality and a “can do” spirit! You can confidently trust your treasures into his care!

506 E Davis St, Conroe, TX 77301
(936) 756-0441
conroeupholsteryandsupply.com