Give Back: Cambridge Kitchen & Bath
In a difficult year, the benevolent effects of the Helping Others Support Topeka (HOST) program continue to tangentially multiply, most recently through the Cambridge Kitchen & Bath Room Rescue contest.
In March, COVID-19 closed Cambridge Kitchen & Bath’s expansive new showroom just two months after it opened and deferred home remodeling plans for many clients. Owners Amber and Zach Leonetti received a check and gift cards for themselves and their employees from the Greater Topeka Partnership HOST program to assist in the interim.
Grateful for the outpouring of generosity through that initiative and the kindness of other family, friends and acquaintances, Amber persuaded her husband and several subcontractors the Leonettis have used for years to commit to providing $5,000 worth of labor to remodel a bathroom or kitchen.
“Every time we worried about what would happen to us and our business, someone stepped up, whether it was a surprise check from the Greater Topeka Partnership and gift cards for three full-time employees we had to let go or a client sending us an encouraging card or a friend dropping off groceries,” she said. “We realized we would be fine even with a closed showroom, and we knew we had to do something for someone else.”
More than 50 people in all areas of the city submitted photos of bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms needing a facelift and better functionality.
“We knew we’d get pictures of bad bathrooms and ugly kitchens, but we were surprised by the heartfelt stories that came with many of the submissions,” said Leonetti. “Some had had earlier plans to remodel but then a spouse got cancer or had a heart attack.”
The Leonettis culled through the stack and eliminated about 15 entries because they were more cosmetic in nature or had structural issues beyond the scope of what the company could deliver. Leonetti visited the homes of the remaining 35 entrants before selecting the top 10—nine bathrooms and one kitchen.
Since the winning homeowner would still need to be responsible for purchasing materials used, the Leonettis gave cost estimates to ensure that finalists, if selected, would be willing to proceed.
The winners were LaTonya and Clifton Lewis, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair. The kitchen space was difficult for him to maneuver and a wall cut her off from participating in family conversations taking place in the adjacent dining and living rooms.
“After hearing their story and seeing their space, I just knew we had to do this project,” said Leonetti. “But I also knew that the cost of this project would go well over what we’d originally committed to. I had to go back and sell my husband and the subcontractors on it, but after meeting the Lewises and hearing their story, they jumped on board quickly.”
With tears of gratitude on both sides, the Leonettis and the Lewises moved forward with the project. Work began in late October with plans to finish by the Monday before Thanksgiving.
This year when the Lewises host their two sons’ families, including four grandsons, for a holiday dedicated to celebrating bounty and blessings, LaTonya will be preparing their festive meal in a completely renovated space. The project includes removing a wall between the dining room and living room, moving a wall back to make a bigger footprint, installing custom-built cabinets, and adding new appliances, countertops, a sink, faucets, backsplash, tile flooring, and paint.
Although the pandemic initially put a damper on Cambridge Kitchen & Bath’s business, people working from home and no longer racing to weekend activities gave many potential clients ample time to assess their surroundings.
“We’re booking for spring and the phone’s still ringing,” said Leonetti. “People have saved money for vacations they aren’t taking and deciding instead to update their homes because they’re spending more time in their space and seeing things they can no longer tolerate.”
Although the showroom isn’t open, Leonetti still meets clients there for one-on-one consultations at its 21st Street and Urish location.
“We are always looking for ways to help others any way we can,” said Leonetti. “It was nice to know that the community was doing the same for us and other small businesses during this uncertain time.”
