Fourth-generation bowl-making company celebrates 120 years

Manufacturing

Jul 29

Written By Staff

From left to right: Kory Gier, Dave Gier, Krista Chalifour | Photo courtesy of Holland Bowl Mill

Holland Bowl Mill is celebrating 120 years of handcrafted bowls built to last. Now in its fourth generation of ownership, the West Michigan staple has grown from $700,000 to $4M in revenue since 2016. In celebration of decades of work and community, the family-owned company is inviting visitors to commemorate local entrepreneurship and generations of hard work.

To celebrate this monumental accomplishment in Holland Bowl Mill’s history, the team is inviting community members and visitors to join them over Labor Day weekend. On September 5, guests can visit Holland Bowl Mill for exclusive “120 years” bowls signed by third-generation owner, Dave Gier, live bowl turning, raffles, food, live music, and kids' activities: chalk, face painting, 7” bowl finishing, and engraving.

Holland Bowl Mill’s roots date back to 1906, when Louis Fuller founded Fuller Bowl Mill in North Muskegon, Michigan, trailblazing a nesting process that created multiple bowls from a single block of wood. The business evolved through the Wooden Shoe Factory and was officially acquired in 1987 before Dave Gier refocused the company solely on bowl making in 1999, renaming it Holland Bowl Mill.

In 2001, the company moved to its current James Street location, scaling production with custom hydraulic lathes. With Kory Gier taking over as the fourth-generation owner in 2017 and his sister, Krista Chalifour, joining in 2019, the Bowl Mill came full circle back to the tourism industry, started offering visitors a chance to experience the process through free factory tours of the bowl-making process, and opened their retail store.

“There are so many thoughts that come to mind when I think of 120 years of Holland Bowl Mill. What stands out the most are the people and relationships that have made this journey possible,” said Kory Gier, fourth-generation Holland Bowl Mill Owner. “This milestone is a testament to generations of hard work and the belief that a simple idea can grow into something lasting with the right team behind it. We’re proud of our history, grateful for those who have helped shape it, and excited to continue building on that legacy for years to come.”

Holland Bowl Mill reflects the value of workmanship, community, and a business built to last. What began as the art of turning wooden bowls has grown into partnerships with major retailers like Quince, Williams-Sonoma, and Crate & Barrel. The team continues to build on these partnerships and maintain its high employee retention, with some staff members being a part of the team for more than twenty years.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Kory for continuing to bring quality-built products to Holland Bowl Mill consumers,” said Dave Gier, third-generation Holland Bowl Mill owner. “In a world where many products are becoming increasingly more based on trends, there’s something special about staying true to a time-tested process. Quality, care, and tradition have always been at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to be preserving this craft and sharing it with future generations.”

For more information, visit hollandbowlmill.com.

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