Les Petrie, John Petrie and Rebecca Cusma
The heart of any home is the kitchen. It’s where celebrations take place, meals are prepared, and memories are made.
Fifty years ago, the kitchen inspired the opening of a local company that set out to help homeowners find their perfect cupboard. It was a business named for history’s most famous, if forlorn, cupboard owner, Old Mother Hubbard.
In the early 1970s, that nursery rhyme was the basis for the mascot of a kitchen cabinetry franchise named Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards. Guy Shirk, a local franchisee, opened a Mechanicsburg location and grew his local clientele, later separating as an independent business.
Les Petrie, a salesman and entrepreneur, bought the company from his uncle and made a name for himself using only a T-square and a sketchbook. He expanded the business with his family’s contemporary style and renamed it Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry to better encompass their inclusive services of kitchens, baths, living areas and more.
“We originally sold kitchens and kitchen accessories as Mother Hubbard’s Kitchen Center,” he said. “Later, we realized we needed to help our customers understand that we don’t only focus on kitchens. We design custom cabinetry for every corner of your life.”
Les’ son, John Petrie, and his wife, Carol, now own the business, bringing with them years of architecture and management experience. Their daughter, Rebecca Cusma, joined the team more recently, learning the ropes firsthand from her parents.
Located on Trindle Road in Mechanicsburg, Mother Hubbard’s showroom today offers kitchen and bathroom displays that stage a variety of styles and cabinet designs.
“Our showroom feels like home,” John Petrie said. “Clients can look around to see what design styles appeal to them and work with our team to customize everything to their liking.”
A Celebration
Many clients start their projects with a visit to Mother Hubbard’s website. There, they can see a variety of resources, such as a cost vs. value report, information on return on investment and other items to factor in before beginning.
A visit to the Trindle Road showroom often follows. There, they’ll receive guidance on preferences, wants vs. needs and establishing a budget. The planning then begins with design, including drawings of the floor plan, elevation and perspective and customer preferences such as cabinetry, finishes, appliances and more. Finally, preparation and installation take place at the home.
Mechanicsburg resident Lesley Trump completed two home renovation projects with Petrie’s team. Three years ago, the Trumps remodeled their kitchen and, this year, they remodeled their primary bathroom.
“We chose Mother Hubbard’s because of their attention to detail,” Trump said. “They make the entire process enjoyable for the customer—from design to product selection to construction and more.”
The entire team at Mother Hubbard’s focuses on making each renovation work for their clients’ needs, Cusma said.
“I think the Mother Hubbard’s difference really helps us take the stress away from our clients,” she said. “We are with them every step of the way, so the project comes together seamlessly.”
As a three [soon-to-be four] generation family-owned business, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry soon will celebrate their 50th anniversary, having served nearly 3,000 customers over the past five decades.
“It is really a privilege and an honor to be asked to come into each of our clients’ homes to help them improve their living spaces,” John Petrie said. “We want to give back to our customers who have worked with us throughout the years and celebrate our team of certified designers, local subcontractors and suppliers.”
To commemorate the anniversary, the Petrie family will host several events at their showroom, including remote broadcasts, food trucks and a grand countertop giveaway. For more information on the special events, watch their Facebook page or visit their website.
“I would like for Mother Hubbard’s to continue for another 50 years,” John Petrie said. “During that time, we will continue to evolve with technology, high fashion, and the trends that appeal to our clients. My hope is that someday Rebecca will take over and continue my father’s legacy—as I did.”
Les Petrie smiled and agreed.
Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry showroom is located at 5309 Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg. For more information, call 717-697-0949 or visit www.mhcustom.com. You also can follow Mother Hubbard’s on Facebook @MHCustom530 where they share recent renovation projects, tips for remodeling and NKBA news.
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