Being at home has afforded people lots of time, in many cases time to place online orders. However, those ordering items requiring assembly have faced special challenges as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with fewer people available and willing to help put the items together. Enter Eitan Barenholtz, rising 10th grader at Torah Academy of Bergen County, whose affordable furniture and toy building service serves local communities.
Barenholtz’s business is simple. After furniture is delivered to customers’ homes, Barenholtz assembles it, either inside or just outside the home, depending on the item. Whether he is assembling deliveries inside, wearing a mask, or outside, Barenholtz follows COVID-19 safety guidelines, always staying socially distanced from his customers.
Barenholtz’s growing business began as a hobby. As a child, he loved building with Legos. A few years ago, when some of his neighbors asked him to assemble items for them, he realized his love of building extended to bigger items as well.
With more time on his hands this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, Barenholtz decided to turn his hobby into a business. He and his parents utilized the website news page of his synagogue, Young Israel of Teaneck, as well as parent Facebook groups, to share his business with community members.
Barenholtz explained how the building business is helping his community. He serves all age groups, from the elderly, who often struggle to lift heavy objects, to young families. As a trusted community member, he is able to connect with families and assemble their furniture safely and effectively.
Barenholtz noted that his service provides an alternative to expensive furniture assembly services; his hourly rate is only $15. He has already helped 10 community members and built 20 furniture items, including dressers, consoles, chairs, basketball hoops, swing sets and electric toy cars.
Contact Eitan Barenholtz Builds at [email protected] or 201.647.2329 for more information.
Olivia Butler is a student at Washington University in St Louis and a summer intern at The Jewish Link.
