By Jay Russell from Piedmont Post
Mario Galeana, owner of Wood Windows Warehouse, stands in front of the Piedmont Center for the Arts. His company donated and installed new exterior windows on the Magnolia and Bonita Ave. sides of the building after it was converted from a Christian Science Church to a performing arts location in 2011.
Wood Windows Warehouse is in Emeryville, but it has significant ties to the community of Piedmont.
In 2011 when the all-volunteer Piedmont Center for the Arts was being created as a non-profit, the building needed a considerable amount of work to transform it from a Christian Science Church to a performing arts center. The most visible change was replacing all the windows facing Magnolia and Bonita Avenues.
Enter Mario Galeana and Wood Windows Warehouse. In addition to installing the 10 beautiful exterior windows, he donated the cost of the work.
As the economy continues to stumble, Wood Windows Warehouse has felt the cold draft of COVID in the last two months.
Galeana has owned and operated the small business since 1991. It specializes in designing and installing custom windows and doors and operates with a staff of 10 em ployees.
As a construction business, the Coronavirus restrictions have made it difficult for him to generate any revenue. The company had a couple of projects ready to begin in March, but they have been postponed.
“We didn’t know what was going to happen, and there was even some doubt as to whether we could stay in business,” Galeana said.
He initially estimated that his business might be able to survive a lockdown of several months. Now that construction is allowed in Alameda County, he has been able to bring back half of his employees.
“We are hoping things will change quickly. Interest rates are low, so maybe people will have money for projects,” he said.
But with an economy with more question marks than dollar signs, commercial and home remodel projects could be slow to pick up.
Galeana estimated that total value of the work he did at the Center for the Arts was about $15,000 for the 10 sets of double-paned windows. He personally installed the windows nine years ago, and still leads the way in the field after 29 years.
Wood Window Warehouse replaces, repairs and restores windows and doors, and is a comprehensive source for many exotic woods.
For information, click here to see our Portfolio, or contact Mario Galeana, Wood Windows Warehouse, 1301 66th Street, Emeryville, tel. 510-652-1662