Just outside Steinbach, tucked near the rolling greens of Quarry Oaks Golf Course, a small woodworking business is making a big impression in homes across Manitoba. Shray Doors & More, a custom cabinet door and woodwork shop, has become a go-to name for both professional cabinet makers and DIY homeowners looking for quality craftsmanship – and it’s all in the family.
Established more than 30 years ago by Dave Schroeder, Shray Doors was passed into new hands in 2020 when Stuart Doerksen purchased the business. A lifelong carpenter, Doerksen brought with him decades of experience in both commercial and residential construction – and a love for finish carpentry that’s now become the shop’s hallmark.
“I’ve been in construction all my life,” says Stuart. “When I was a little guy, if my dad couldn’t find his hammer, he’d call me because I would have it.” He laughs. “He was a supervisor for Penn-co Construction, so I grew up in that world. But I always had an eye for the finer details – my dad told me I was too fussy to be a framer.”
That attention to detail has shaped the business today. Shray Doors specializes in five-piece custom cabinet doors, along with butcher block countertops, floating shelves, and bespoke woodwork. But what really makes the shop unique is that it’s run by Stuart and his two sons, Isaiah and Andrew.
“We’re just a three-person team,” says Andrew. “But because we’re family, we think a lot alike. We don’t have to explain every little step to each other – we just get into a rhythm. Of course, sometimes that means the family dynamic gets a bit intense,” he adds with a grin, “but overall, it works.”
Andrew handles much of the final sanding and finishing work, spending time in the spray booth applying topcoats to cabinet doors. His brother Isaiah takes care of the early stages of door construction and is the lead finisher for butcher block countertops.
“I really love working with wood,” Isaiah shares. “It’s a beautiful material, and every piece is different. I try to bring out the best in it – and when you see it fully assembled, it’s incredibly satisfying.”
The family takes pride in their work, and it shows. Whether it’s rustic hickory cabinet doors or a walnut butcher block that comes to life with finish, their craftsmanship consistently delivers on quality. And as Stuart points out, their small size is a strength.
“Because we’re a tight-knit team, we’re able to focus on building relationships with our customers,” Stuart says. “Whether it’s cabinet makers who return again and again, or a homeowner looking for custom doors to replace what they have – even someone building an IKEA kitchen who wants better doors – we can help with all of that.”
Looking to the future, Shray Doors & More is focused on streamlining their processes, growing their customer base, and continuing to build their reputation one door at a time.
To learn more or see examples of their work, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
