From Farm to Table: How the Huth Brothers went from Dairy to Design

The Huth brothers were “Farm to Table” before “Farm to Table” was cool… well, rather they were makers of both.

Like many in Wisconsin, Ben and Arvid Huth grew up on a dairy farm. Grain barns full of childhood memories were created in the throws of the work involved in their family farm. For many in the Dairy State, that work ultimately became a life-long career.

So how did the Huth brothers go from working the farm to creating the table instead? Well, here is at least one brother’s version…

It was the summer of 19-something and Arvid was about to embark on the great journey of furthering his cranial knowledge at college in Eau Claire. Full of ambition and eager to start his advanced academic adventure, Arvid also knew he had to fold a job into the mix too.

As luck would have it, one warm day that summer, the family insurance salesman visited the farm. Arvid shared his plans for the fall with the salesman and made mention that he would be looking for work while at the University.

In no time at all, that insurance fella had sold Arvid’s work ethic to a willing employer. He had lined him up with Mike and Patricia Bloss, who owned what is now the Penny Mustard Sleep Center in Eau Claire.

Arvid was dedicated to his delivery and installation job with the Blosses for quite some time. After a couple of years, his hard work moved him into a coveted sales position. And that is when the thought crossed his mind.

“What if I owned my own store?”

This started as a passing thought and then turned into a burning notion. Arvid knew he needed some counsel. He turned to those that had believed and trusted him – Mike and Patricia. He respectfully asked if they’d be willing to support him in such a venture. Without hesitation, they agreed to provide guidance, advice, and general help in any way that they could.

Excitedly, he also knew that he didn’t want to go into it alone. So as any good collegiate does, he asked one of his college roommates if they’d be interested in being his business partner. The roommate said yes.

Then, backed out.

Not entirely phased, Arvid was determined to regroup and in a turn of events, brotherly camaraderie stepped in.

Knowing Arvid’s desire to see the business opportunity come to fruition, Ben reached out to Arvid to see if he would be open to having him as a business partner.

Ben knew that he was bound to own a dairy farm one day as it was the only real interest he had for a career. He also saw the furniture venture as a well-timed risk ready for the taking. He could venture into it and if it didn’t turn out as planned, he could always turn back to his roots.

With a handshake agreement (no spit required because they already had DNA-level commitment) the business partnership was forged.

Now for the capital in this deal...

Ben had worked on the farm all of his whopping 19 years and saved as much money as he could. He’d also accumulated seven cows and an ATV.

Arvid held the title to a couple of snowmobiles.

With seven cows, two snowmobiles, and a small stash of cash the business was born. The first store opened at 7455 West Layton Avenue in Greenfield, Wisconsin and the first chapter of the Penny Mustard legacy began.