Kyle Snellenberger grew up with a passion for woodwork, working alongside his father who had a carpentry business in their woodshop. In 2016, his growing list of commissioned projects for custom furniture outgrew the capabilities of the existing woodshop and Ouachita Antique Woods was established at 336 Fontana Road. With the added space, the acquisition of antique and reclaimed wood materials was added to the business model. As the sizes of custom pieces have grown, Kyle has continuously added the tools and equipment needed for these massive projects. Instead of sourcing slabs and cuts from outside suppliers, Kyle is able to salvage fallen trees and transform them into custom furniture pieces. Not only did the need for his own sawmill and kiln arise, but as the business grew the need for assistance was apparent. Kyle hired his first part-time assistant in 2017, his first full-time assistant in 2018, a welding assistant in 2020, and an apprentice in 2021. We now have three, full-time employees working alongside each other at the woodshop.

OAWoods provides a total vertical of offerings. From reclaimed woods and slabs to small and large-scale custom woodwork offerings, we are a one-stop shop for any size client. Our custom pieces are 100% handcrafted in our shop and the majority of items are constructed of architectural salvage and reclaimed wood that we source both locally and nationally. We strive to source our woods locally whenever possible to give our customers heirlooms that will be passed down for generations with characteristics made from materials in our hometown. Local sites we have created custom works from include the ULM Grove, Forsythe Park, and the Louisiana Purchase Zoo.

OAWoods has experienced considerable growth since its establishment thanks to the patronage of customers all over the South. While clients have given OAWoods owner Kyle Snellenberger an abundance of creative freedom with varying projects, he’s always had the desire to offer completely original designs that are accessible to customers. In October of 2021, the OAWoods store opened on 165 near ULM. The 1200ft² furniture showroom and home and lifestyle goods store offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase locally sourced, handmade furniture items on-site, as well as shop for home accessories.

OAWoods is not only a full-service woodshop, but it has served as a learning center as well. Student groups from the Louisiana Tech School of Forestry have made multiple trips over the years to learn about the operation, study the different wood species we have on-hand, and explore career options in woodworking. Kyle has mentored multiple individuals who have gone on to have successful careers in the woodworking industry. 

OAWoods has also received many accolades locally, regionally, and nationally, including: the feature story on the cover of BayouLife magazine, a feature interview on Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Art Rocks! Series, first place recognition in the Furniture category in Wood-Mizer’s national 2021 My Wood-Mizer Project Contest, and a feature on the front page of The News-Star for our work in the Joe Rogan Podcast studio.