About Us—Our Story
Founded in 2008, The Southside Woodshop was created by accomplished home‐builder and skilled woodworker, Jud Dinsmore, with a simple goal in mind— to build exceptional, custom wood countertops that provide a lifetime of use and enjoyment. After 15 years and thousands of countertops, we created The Chesapeake Bay Stool company to provide seating options for our customers to pair with their wood countertops or add the natural color and warmth of wood to any space.
In His Own Words - Jud Dinsmore
“This excitement and passion for wood countertops has a very humble beginning. Throughout home building, I installed cabinetry and built custom projects for our custom homes in my one car garage. During that time, I acquired and accumulated various hardwood lumber scraps that were simply too beautiful to throw away. Not knowing what to do with these leftovers, and having them start to take over my garage, my wife suggested I use them to make cutting boards for our families for Christmas gifts. Yes, yes, another great idea from my wife, I know. Anyways, they turned out beautifully and were a big hit that Christmas. From there, I built my first countertop, a checkerboard top of cherry and maple, for the last home we built in late 2007. It was more difficult than a cutting board (especially in the limited space in my one car garage, and without proper machinery) but I completed it and after eight years of use, it still looks as good as new. Shortly after, I formed The Southside Woodshop to make custom wood countertops, butcher blocks, and bar tops for others to enjoy.”
Fast‐forward to 2015
We have built thousands of custom tops that reside in residential and commercial spaces all across the country. We have received praise for our products and service from countless design professionals, architects, builders, and home owners. Our operation has expanded into a 10,000+ sf facility, where a small team of experienced craftsmen fabricate our one‐of‐a‐kind countertops and stools.
Big, but not too big ‐ Jud is still the only one answering the phone, so you can be assured a first‐class experience and can trust the information you are receiving. Additionally, he can assist with design considerations, troubleshoot potential construction and installation details, and can offer friendly, accurate pricing information.
In 2022, The Chesapeake Bay Stool Company was founded as an extension of The Southside Woodshop, specializing in handcrafted wooden stools with sturdy metal bases. Designed for countertop or bar top seating or as stylish accent pieces, our stools combine form and function for any space. With over 15 wood selections and 6 powder-coated base finishes, we offer options to suit nearly any aesthetic. And since every stool is handmade at our Portsmouth, VA facility, we’re able to collaborate with customers to create fully customized pieces—offering endless combinations of wood and base colors.
