Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – For most people in Oak Hill, the name National Drapery may not be familiar. But the shop has spent more than five decades crafting custom window treatments for clients across the country, including some notable names.
“We’ve done for the White House, I think in the early 70’s,” said Leon Ivey, co-owner of National Drapery Workroom. “We’ve had draperies come through for Joe Biden’s house, Beau Biden’s widow. We actually had some drapes come through one time for Jones Mansion, which was about a quarter mile from our shop, but the drapes came through DC, so we had to make them, send them to DC, they brought them down and put them in.”
Virgil Ivey founded the company in 1971 after getting his start installing draperies in Washington, D.C. before returning to West Virginia. For decades, the operation ran out of the old Scarbro Company Store before relocating to its current building on Johnson Street, where a ribbon cutting was held on Monday to celebrate their 55th year.
Virgil, who recently turned 86, said the anniversary carried deep personal meaning.
“I just love it. There ain’t no words you can put in it,” he said. “It’s just fantastic to go this long, and you have your son taken over. That’s the good part of it.”
His son Leon now runs the day-to-day operation. Some employees have been with the company for decades, including one who has been there since it opened in 1971.
“Mary Anderson’s been here 55 years, and Wanda Canterbury’s been here 20 years next year,” Leon said. “It’s just unbelievable what they can do. And what we worry about is, where does that knowledge go once we’re gone and they’re gone? It’s just an amazing feat for them, that they still love it, love to come to work and do it. We’re thankful.”
National Drapery Workroom does not operate as a retail storefront, but Leon says clients can call to schedule a free in-home consultation. The company is located at 998 Johnson Street in Oak Hill.
“I’m very honored to carry dad’s legacy on,” Leon said, “and happy for him that he’s here to see it and able to continue on.”
