SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY — “A majority of the working time spent in a house is in the kitchen.”

So says Irving Kaplan of Kaplan Cabinet Company. “It is where a multitude of meals are prepared, where food is shared, guests gather at parties, medicine is taken, pets are fed—the list goes on.” 

Many say the kitchen is the heart of the home, that it is where we are nourished physically and often spiritually. For this third-generation establishment, this ethos rings especially true. The kitchen as the community center of the home is a core pillar of this small business, and one of the main reasons both son and grandson of Leo Kaplan—the founder of Kaplan Cabinet Company—decided to dedicate their lives to the family trade. 

Aaron Kaplan, 35, has been learning the family trade over the past 15 years from his father Irving in South Fallsburg. It is the second-oldest business in the Town of Fallsburg (the oldest is Fallsburg Lumber, a fifth-generation lumber company with roots since 1908). 

Fallsburg has been changing rapidly, like many towns in Sullivan County, and many of the original businesses have not survived the changes, especially small businesses that focus on craft and custom design. 

“When it comes to custom cabinetry it should be functional, ergonomic, beautiful. In that order,” said Aaron Kaplan about the business’ craftwork. “Each client is going to have their own beliefs on what is beautiful, that will change with the client. But the functionality of the kitchen and its ease of use are dictated by the room and people using it.” 

Clients from the community are at the root of the business, and ensuring they receive a kitchen they enjoy and celebrate for decades to come, is what is most rewarding to Kaplan Cabinet. People have approached Irving years after their kitchen was installed to thank him, the father and son said. Customers have even called them to provide services as gifts to their children who recently bought homes or are looking for a special way to upgrade their home. 

If not for his father’s clients, Irving might have never become a cabinet maker. He was a union electrician in Sullivan County when his father passed away unexpectedly in 1978. There were a few career paths he was considering at the time of his father’s passing. However, during the period of his father’s shiva—a week-long Jewish mourning ritual where family and friends gather to honor the deceased and offer support—local hotel owners, who had long relied on his father's craftsmanship, approached him. They encouraged Irving to continue the business, emphasizing how his father’s work had been integral to their own success. Through this supportive community and the enduring quality of his father's creations, Irving resolved to take the mantle, ensuring that the tradition and excellence his father had built would continue. 

A family business

In 2012, Aaron graduated college and began to train under his father. He said he felt very tied to the shop, which sits next to the Kaplan family’s own home on Route 42 in Fallsburg, and he felt it was critical to join the family business, so the shop, the house and the land that has been in the family since 1904 would be able to remain within the family. The location has been so critical to the success of the business; many people pass it daily or stop by to inquire. A lot of the Kaplan Cabinet Company’s business is through word of mouth. 

When a child takes over their parents' business, it carries profound significance, especially nowadays, when private equity firms increasingly acquire small businesses and scale them for profit without considering the community at large. For many family-owned businesses, the transition to a new generation ensures continuity and preservation of the company's core values and long-standing relationships. This familial succession not only honors the legacy of the founders but also provides a sense of stability and commitment that can be lost in impersonal buy-outs. 

Unlike owners who can prioritize short-term returns and restructuring of a small business, a child inheriting the business brings a personal stake and deep understanding of the company's culture and vision. This connection can foster long-term growth and innovation while maintaining the business’s unique identity and local roots. 

Owning a small business is hard work; for years Irving could only take limited time off. Now with Aaron on board, Irving can take some more vacation time. Even so, the Kaplans make time for their community. Irving has been a member of the Fallsburg Fire Department for 53 years, and a member of Sullivan County Rotary Clubs for 37 years. Aaron joined the Fallsburg Fire Department at 16, and for a decade built sets and acted in plays at SUNY Sullivan before the theater department closed this year. 

They both cite their work in the community as a reason they are proud to have taken over from their fathers in this line of work. They feel grounded in the town and enjoy giving back to the community that has supported their business for 77 years. 

The benefits of local business

A small, third-generation business like Kaplan Cabinet Company focused on community can bring substantial benefits to our county by fostering local economic resilience and strengthening social ties. Businesses like this prioritize relationships with their customers and suppliers, creating a sense of trust and loyalty that bolsters the local economy. Their deep-rooted presence in the community means they are reinvesting in the area, supporting local events, charities and initiatives that enhance quality of life. A third-generation business carries forward a legacy of tradition and values, and its commitment to community and continuity helps preserve the unique character of the county. 

While it can be difficult to find someone to take over your business, and not all children would like to take over their parents' line of work, many say there’s value in having a third-generation business in a changing area like Sullivan County. It can provide continuity and stability amid transformation. Such businesses can bring deep-rooted local knowledge and a strong connection to the community, which can be vital in maintaining the county's unique character while adapting to new developments. 

Continuing small businesses through generations can also offer residents a sense of permanence in an era of rapid change. They’re custodians of local traditions and values, bridging the past with the future. 

For more information, visit www.kaplancabinet.com or visit their showroom at 5131 Main St. in South Fallsburg. 

The story of the Kaplan Cabinet Company

In the case of Kaplan Cabinets, community roots run deep. Aaron’s grandfather Leo, who founded the company in 1947, was also a projectionist at the South Fallsburg theater, and Leo’s father Isadore helped build the theater in the 1920s. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, the business serviced both residential needs and many commercial needs—largely the hotels that were booming at the time. The hotels needed servers, dining room tables and of course cabinets. 

As time went on and the area changed, Kaplan Cabinet Company began to service more residents in their home-kitchen needs, and they are one of the only local businesses that still does everything from scratch.The company designs the cabinets, builds them and then also does the installations. No IKEA or Home Depot retro-fits here; the staff is accurate, careful and craft-focused, and designs custom kitchens to satisfy the customers. 

This also means Kaplan is creating long-lasting sustainable kitchens that last 30, 40 or 50 years. 

A more sustainable choice

Custom cabinets represent a more sustainable choice compared to mass-produced options like those from big box stores, due to the former’s emphasis on local sourcing, craftsmanship and durability. Custom cabinets are built using high-quality materials selected to meet specific needs, reducing waste from excess production and avoiding the use of cheaper, less sustainable resources. 

Additionally, because they are made to order, custom cabinets minimize the carbon footprint associated with shipping and handling. The craftsmanship involved in custom cabinet-making ensures that each piece is designed for longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements. In contrast, mass-produced cabinets can be manufactured using lower-grade materials and more energy-intensive processes, contributing to greater environmental impact. 

Custom cabinets also offer the opportunity for repairs and refinishing, extending their lifespan and further enhancing their sustainability. 

Kaplan Cabinet Company’s full-service shop, its commitment to the community, and its clients is what sets this small business apart. 

—Leanna Ballester