Old Yankee isn’t just a business; it’s a family tradition, handcrafted with care – one board at a time.

Growing up in Massachusetts, Dean Felides discovered his love for woodworking in school, which sparked a lifelong passion for the craft. He began his career building custom homes and the furniture that filled them, creating pieces such as tables, hutches, and cabinets. In 1972, following his love for the outdoors, Dean moved to the woods of Northern Maine. Surrounded by abundant rock maple and pine, he embraced the value of hard work by building a log cabin and establishing Old Yankee’s first workshop, known as the Old Yankee Woodshed.

In the Woodshed, he began handcrafting furniture, custom countertops, and cutting boards, responding to every request from his customers. Each piece was crafted with New England pride, transforming what began as gifts for friends and family into a growing business.

Over the years, Old Yankee evolved alongside Dean’s journey – from Maine to Rehoboth, Massachusetts, where he and his wife Colleen built their own home and started a family. As the business grew, Dean’s clientele expanded to include professional chefs, restaurants, cafeterias, television shows, and more. Old Yankee cutting boards began shipping across the country. Despite the significant increase in sales, each cutting board remained handmade by Dean and Colleen.

As the children grew and moved out of state, Dean relocated Old Yankee once again – this time to Raleigh, North Carolina. Here, he set up shop and continued his craft, enjoying the opportunity to watch his daughter, Sarah, raise his grandchildren while running the company in a warmer environment. Sarah eventually joined him and began preparing to take over the family business, following in her father’s footsteps.

For Dean, Old Yankee isn’t just a business; it’s a family tradition, handcrafted with care – one board at a time. He hopes these cutting boards become a lasting part of your family as well.

Sarah’s career path defies convention, spanning criminal justice, furniture refinishing, woodworking, interior decorating, and custom cabinetry—fields where few women have made their mark. Born and raised in small-town Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Sarah developed a love for craftsmanship and hard work early in life, inspired by her parents. She spent many days in the woodshop with her dad and decorating and hosting with her mom. Sarah pursued her passion for criminal justice at a university in Washington, D.C., while gaining retail experience as a visual manager, where she sharpened her keen eye for design and fashion.

After moving to North Carolina and starting her family, Sarah launched her own business decorating homes and refinishing furniture. When her parents relocated, she began working closely with her father to master woodworking techniques. Over the past decade, she has built a reputation for her expertise in interior decorating and custom cabinetry, combining function with aesthetics to create beautiful, practical spaces. She now brings her natural eye for design to Old Yankee, creating new products for the home.

Sarah lives in Apex, NC, with her husband, sports-loving son, dance-loving daughter, and their labradoodle. She enjoys hosting friends for parties, dinners, and bonfires, sharing her love for connection and celebration.