Before coming to the United States in 1950, Claude M. Huret trained as a cabinet maker in his home town of Paris, France. Claude Huret came to the U.S. in 1950 and opened his shop, Claude M. Huret Cabinet Shop, on M Street in Georgetown. Huret operated alongside Georgetown Refinishing which was owned by the Martin family during the 1950s and 60s. In the 1970s Claude’s son, Dominique Huret, acquired Georgetown Refinishing, while Dominique’s brother continued operating his father’s shop after their father’s retirement.
In 1985 the two brothers merged and continued operating under Georgetown Refinishing which was now on 14th Street, NW in Georgetown. The Hurets have a long history of fine cabinet work and museum quality restoration. Over the years, the Hurets have restored furniture pieces for U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents, Embassies, government agencies and officials. In 1979 the Hurets had the privilege of restoring the papal chair for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Washington, D.C.
Georgetown Refinishing added a new chapter to its history in 2007, and merged with Schoenbauer Furniture Service, Inc. of Southern Maryland. Schoenbauer Furniture is a fourth generation company specializing in every aspect of furniture repair and restoration. The President, Bill Schoenbauer III, is from a long line of cabinetmakers. Bill’s great grandfather, German cabinetmaker Carl Schoenbauer, came to the U.S. in 1896 to found a custom woodworking shop. The Schoenbauer family proudly nurtured this heritage and today their much larger company offers expertise in custom finishes, antique and art restoration, fabrication, and cabinetry. The merging of Georgetown Refinishing and Antique Restoration and Schoenbauer Furniture Service, Inc. was a well-suited match combining over 200 years of experience as quality wood craftsmen.
