The PATIO Ware house

Everyone living in Wisconsin has experienced more than just the traditional four seasons. It’s like the Lord of the Rings meme where Merry and Pippin are talking about how many meals are in a day. “We’ve had one, yes, but what about second winter?” The cold months are far behind us for now, and the different summers have arrived. I don’t know the names for them, but for me it goes from enjoying campfires and beaches to wondering if the paint on my siding is going to melt off.

Some of you might be lucky enough to have a patio, allowing you to enjoy the best parts of the season right from home. Even the worst parts are made bearable because you have a fantastic patio furniture set. At least, I hope you do. But maybe that patio is new or new to you, so you haven’t bought furniture yet. Maybe your old set of patio furniture is in need of an update. Todd Zhang at The Patio Warehouse in Sun Prairie says that with quality pieces, you’ll have something you can use throughout most of the year.

Todd has been working for the manufacturer of The Patio Warehouse’s furniture for 10 years. Something that he really seems to appreciate is how his role changed five years ago when the furniture manufacturer shifted its focus from wholesale to retail, thus creating The Patio Warehouse. Before, most of the pieces you’ll find at The Patio Warehouse were available at big-box stores, including Menards, Walmart, and Home Depot. Those big-box stores typically only carried one or two tiers of quality: either low, mid, or high. For the consumer, Todd thought it was pretty inconvenient—you only get to choose from either low-quality sets or very expensive pieces.

By opening a physical location to sell items outside of wholesale, LP fire pits, plush cushioned seating sets, dining collections for large groups, and bistro sets can now be found in one retail location, and there’s a lot to look through. Even though they carry sets for all price ranges, Todd likes to remind people that the more-affordable ones are made from steel and are typically heavier than the aluminum sets. In addition, if scratched, the steel may need touch-ups to avoid rust. If you can afford it, he always recommends going aluminum.

As for the wholesale side of things, it’s still there, but it’s now selling through furniture stores in many regions all over the country. That’s mainly because they just can’t make sufficient margins with big box. It’s kind of a win-win-win for furniture-focused businesses, The Patio Warehouse, and customers. Those businesses get a great product to sell, The Patio Warehouse doesn’t have to lose as much money to corporate overhead, and customers are rewarded with lower prices. Todd says, “Our price is guaranteed lower than every competitor.”

The Patio Warehouse has also given Todd a more personal way to meet people and build relationships. “A lot of customers know our company and location. ... We get a lot of customers from word of mouth. They bought furniture from us in the past. The first couple of years, we had a lot of customers, and they just spread all over.”

There’s a gratifying marriage for Todd between providing what he can for his customers and enjoying the patio furniture business. When I asked what attracts him to the industry, his answer was simple. “It’s fun to work here. I enjoy what I do.” His knowledge of the product line is a point of pride. Much of their selection is made to be very high quality, and the upper tier provides stylish patterns meant to last.

Being a warehouse, it’s important for customers to understand that this isn’t like some of the shopping experiences they may be used. There aren’t dozens of customization options to go through and make pieces just the way you want. Though some of the lines have a deeper catalogue, for the most part what you see is what’s available, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. The good news is there might be something different in stock the next time you visit, so check in often if you’re on the hunt.

Great furniture, great prices, great selection. If you’ve ever taken Highway 151 westbound in Sun Prairie, you’ve seen the large white sign with black letters. You may have even thought about stopping in sometime. Well think no more. The Patio Warehouse is open year-round, and the short trip is well worth the effort no matter the season.

Kyle Jacobson is a writer/editor who thinks that even the most serious conversation has room for a bad joke or two.

Photographs by Eric Tadsen