About Us
About Gates Hollow Woodworks
Gates Hollow Woodworks (GHW) began humbly in early 2020 — born from a simple need to stay creative during the long months of lockdown. What started as a hobby to ease a bit of cabin fever quickly turned into something more. Friends and family took notice of the handcrafted pieces emerging from the workshop, and word began to spread. By the end of that year — after braving a rain-soaked, socially distanced craft fair — it became clear that this was more than a pastime. In January 2021, GHW officially came to life.
At Gates Hollow Woodworks, we specialize in handcrafted wooden accessories for the home — often inspired by the kitchen and bar. Our offerings include cutting boards, charcuterie boards, wine displays, and whiskey or beer flight trays, with new creations added as inspiration strikes.
Every item is crafted by hand with care and intention. We work only with select hardwoods and never use stains or dyes — instead, we let the natural beauty of the wood shine through with clear finishes. Pieces designed for food contact are finished exclusively with 100% food-safe oils and waxes, while decorative and bar items are protected with durable, marine-grade spar urethane. To keep your pieces looking their best, we provide simple care instructions and tips for maintenance.
Supporting local is at the heart of what we do. We source our hardwoods from local suppliers, print our business materials through nearby vendors, and even unwind with a cold beer from one of our favorite local craft breweries after a long day in the shop.
At GHW, it’s not just about woodworking — it’s about community, craftsmanship, and creating pieces that bring warmth and authenticity into your home.
About the Maker
Hi! My name is Mike Gates and I’m a recovering engineer. Basically, I’m a lifelong tech enthusiast. I’ve spent over 30 years working in various roles within telecommunications engineering, starting as a curious computer hobbyist and working my way up through a mix of on-the-job experience and formal education. I worked my way from a computer support technician, technical sales/support engineer, and finally finishing my technical career managing a complete Solutions Engineering team.
My love of understanding how things work doesn’t stop at technology. I’ve always enjoyed tinkering, repairing, and creating — from fixing vehicles and lawnmowers to experimenting with making things by hand. It was natural that this curiosity eventually led me to woodworking.
In early 2020, like many others during the COVID lockdowns, I found myself working from home. I needed an outlet to relieve the cabin fever and boredom of isolation — and woodworking became that outlet. I began crafting things like cutting boards and charcuterie boards. Eventually we had more pieces than we could reasonably use. Friends and family took note of my creations and started asking if I could make some things for them. From here, Gates Hollow Woodworks (GHW) was born. I’ve started creating custom furniture pieces. Not only do I have several pieces planned for my own needs, I’ve created some custom pieces for clients.
Today, GHW allows me to continue creating, share my work with others, and turn a personal passion into something meaningful. Whether it’s a practical piece for your home or a custom gift, every item reflects the same care, curiosity, and attention to detail I put into every project.
Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about me and GHW — I’m glad you’re here!