One Nassau County dad makes built-in cabinetry, fireplaces, custom wood radiator covers, and baseboard heater covers inside his garage in Wantagh.
Steven Lucchese started Long Island Radiator Covers in 2008. From houses in Suffolk to Queens, Steven has made over 10,000 covers. The idea began when he and his wife bought their first home in Wantagh. Their radiator was an eyesore.
"The radiators just stuck out... My wife started looking online, trying to find someone who makes these covers and couldn't find anyone. My wife asked me if I could make it like anyone else, so I went to YouTube for a couple of hours. Then I was at Home Depot buying all my material and had my first radiator cover," said Lucchese. He also gets materials from lumber yards on Long Island.
At first, Lucchese made these covers for friends and family. After his friend helped launch a website for the business, he started getting phones two days later. Since then, Lucchese has enjoyed what he does.
"My father was a carpenter. My father worked heavy construction Monday to Friday and then worked on people's homes Saturday and Sunday, so that work ethic is instilledin me," said Lucchese. He hopes his two young boys will take over the business one day. "That would really be special. This is a business I started from the ground up. If it’s something I can pass to my children."