Meet Mike, the Founder

Windy City Woodcraft is a design studio based in Chicago, founded by Mike Linhardt.

The story of Windy City Woodworking began at a deeply personal moment for Mike. At the death of his father. Upon his passing, Mike inherited his father’s woodworking tools—not really knowing what to do with them.

That first Christmas, Mike made small woodcraft items for his siblings using only his father’s tools as a tribute to their dad.

What started as a way to honor his father became something more—a lasting connection to craftsmanship, creativity, and beauty.

From loss came creation. From creation came purpose.

People take for granted the design elements of a piece of furniture. But in the final piece, everything must come together-from the wood choice to the joint fit to create an manifestation of beauty.. Each decision that is made during the design and build process is an expression of the artist that built it.

That expression is Windy City Woodworking—a business built not just on skill, but on a legacy of the lessons a father’s gave to his son.