Cornerstone Kitchens celebrates 20 years in business

Leeber The Mediterranean Sea may not immediately bring to mind images of cabinet resurfacing for most people, but that is exactly where Tony Leeber Sr. learned this unique skill and was inducted into the cabinet trade. He was serving in the Navy, aboard a repair ship off the coast of Naples, Italy, when he first discovered his passion for carpentry.

Today, Leeber is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Southwest Florida business that ultimately grew out of that experience - Cornerstone Kitchens.

Upon leaving the Navy, Leeber became a union carpenter. He went on to learn and work in the cabinetry and remodeling businesses as well, and has eventually brought all of these talents together in his Cornerstone Kitchens. His experience and drive to provide clients with a job well done have made this company a top choice for home remodeling in Fort Myers.

However, Cornerstone didn't begin as a remodeling company. In 1988, Leeber opened the first Cornerstone shop on Canal Street in Fort Myers. He provided new kitchen installations at a time when he says the market was hungry for a no-nonsense company with a quick turnaround time. Cornerstone earned a reputation for doing just that.

A lot has changed since then. To begin with, Cornerstone specializes in remodeling now, but according to Leeber, certain things remain the same. Today's remodeling customers crave timely completion of their home projects as much as builders do, and they also expect a job well done. Cornerstone differentiates itself from the competition by doing both.

"I decided early on that it was all about customer satisfaction," says Leeber. "We do whatever is necessary to make the customer happy, and that's why we're still going strong after 20 years."

Leeber believes the company's success lies with its employees, and credits God for bringing him the talented help.

"I've never advertised for employees," Leeber continued. "I've always prayed and asked God to send us the right people to fit our needs, and it is by the grace of God that we have such talented and dedicated employees who share the same dedication to customer satisfaction that I founded the company with. Christ is the cornerstone of this company, and our people are proof of that."

Cornerstone still does kitchens, but Leeber has expanded the company's services to meet customer demand as well. The company now offers complete home remodeling - including electrical, plumbing, custom wood doors and closet design.

"Our goal is to provide a complete one-stop-shop for our customers," says Leeber. "A lot of companies are failing today because they didn't change to accommodate the market. I listen to the customer and have expanded our services according to their needs."

As a result, Cornerstone offers the latest design trends, technology and innovations. Leeber is also planning to build a new Fort Myers facility with a state-of-the-art showroom that houses all of Cornerstone's divisions and staff in one central, convenient location. It's just another way Leeber is designing his business around the customer.

"Our 20-year anniversary is as much about celebrating the future as it is about honoring God and the people who have gotten us this far," says Leeber. "There are a lot of exciting things happening this year. When people talk about the downturn, I think 'What downturn?' The remodeling business is booming, and I fully expect my best profits this year."