In the late Fall of 1987, Annie and Jeff Armistead were married and found themselves living in Check, occupying an old farmhouse that had definitely seen better days. Somehow, with the help of wonderful and generous neighbors, they survived a few winters in that old house.
During some home renovations, Bill Graefe was a particularly generous neighbor; not only having helped the Armisteads on many other occasions, but also with the renovation work. Graefe and the Armisteads continued to trade talents over the years, tackling everything from standing seam roofing to woodworking. Jeff has considered Bill a good friend ever since.
As time passed, the Armistead family grew while Jeff and Annie progressed in their careers. After two local moves, the Armisteads eventually bought a farm in Riner. In more recent years, Annie found herself drawn once again to the wonderful Floyd community. She began driving into Floyd to work part-time at Troika Gallery, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.  When Silvie Granatelli, Susan Icove, and Gibby Waitskin decided to sell Troika in 2018, Annie, along with potter Abby Reczek, decided to take a leap of faith and buy the gallery. Annie and Abby each brought individual talents to Troika. Annie excels in staging art, where Abby is wonderful with marketing and social media.
Barely one year had passed when Bill and Corinne Graefe, with six grown kids between them, decided to retire. For twenty years, they had built Phoenix Hardwoods into a thriving business that eventually became an integral part of Floyd. Without a buyer, however, the Graefes faced having to close up shop. They agonized over the fact that long-time staffers, Bradley, Eric, and Henry, would lose their jobs. As most of the community knows, these young men are extremely gifted woodworkers.
One afternoon, Corinne stopped by Troika to drop off some pieces and explained to Annie about the Graefes’ plan to retire. After the initial shock, it didn’t take long for both Annie and Jeff, along with their son Ben, to begin discussing how the Armistead family could be a part of preserving the local legacy of Phoenix Hardwoods. They felt as if they were presented with the opportunity to not only continue cultivating fine local woodworkers, but to also continue producing beautiful hardwood furniture and accessories.
Once again, the Armisteads found themselves back in the warm embrace of the Floyd community. This time, it was thanks to the very folks that had helped them more than thirty years earlier, when they’d first put their hands into Floyd County the soil.
When the decision was made, Annie and Abby didn’t sit still for long. While Jeff and Ben took over the Phoenix Hardwoods operation located just six miles from Floyd, Abby and Annie were busy planning a presence for Phoenix in town. They leased another space in The Station that will provide room to display larger pieces of furniture and accessories. The new store will be called “Troika Home”, and it will open its doors to the public in April of 2020. Meanwhile Jeff is discovering that many of his life experiences have led him to this new, special place. He will soon finish his tenure with the Department of Forestry, which will allow both him and Ben the time to focus solely on Phoenix Hardwoods.
Jeff’s career has been in conservation for decades. First, he was Director of the Selu Conservancy. He was then Board President of the New River Land Trust, managing a family tree farm and doing research for the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Ben was born in Floyd and feels he has landed where he has always belonged. For the past twelve years, he has worked with his hands as a talented carpenter; most recently under the tutelage of Al Anderson, restoring timber frame structures. He plans to continue keeping his hands dirty in the shop but will also be learning the business end of what Corinne and Bill have started.
Change is difficult, yet Bill and Corinne have excitedly welcomed the changes to the old showroom, including new gallery lighting, paint, flooring, and windows. It has created a new space for Phoenix’s talented wood workers to proudly display their art. Jeff and Ben are now working closely with Bill, Corrine, Bradley, Eric, and Henry to learn every aspect of the business. They have made a promise to Bill and Corinne that they will continue in their stead; ensuring that Phoenix Hardwoods keeps thriving for many years to come.

Phoenix Hardwoods • 2540 Floyd Hwy N, Floyd, VA Annie & Jeff Armistead • phoenix-hardwoods.com 540-745-7475 • hardwoods2020@gmail.com