Our Story

In 1983, Kim Kepchar agreed to join his good friend and Charlottesville legend David Simpson in forming Top Hats and Cat Tails Chimney Sweeps. Why?

First were exciting memories from his youth — a cold night, screaming sirens, lots of volunteer firefighters and whispered parental concerns about whether the house would survive the amazing flames shooting out the chimney (fortunately it did).

Second, Mother Earth News was running ads and stories nearly every month reinforcing the romantic ideal of chimney sweeps begun with Mary Poppins.

Finally, he had a desire to do something helpful and alternative for a year or so before growing up and looking for a real job.

Thirty plus years later, the puzzles and challenges of the home heating fire still intrigue him.

He spent those years building relationships with an appreciative clientele, and developing the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to keep up with the ever-expanding hearth & patio industry, leading to the opening of Wooden Sun in 2010. Kim is committed to putting his knowledge and experience to work selling, installing, and servicing safe, efficient, high-quality hearth products. His commitment to excellence is backed by a team of dedicated employees who care not just about what we sell, but how we sell it.

Wooden Sun is a small, local business. We have put our heart and soul into creating a beautiful showroom displaying as many of our products as we can. We warrant our installation labor for as long as you own the product, and follow industry best practices established by the National Fire Prevention Association, rather than minimal standards required by building code. We believe in superior customer service provided by employees who receive continuous training on industry best practices. We believe in living wages, and providing our employees with health, retirement, and vacation benefits. All of these are reflected in our pricing.

We also recognize that internet and large retailers are competing mightily for your business–mainly by price. We will match any bonafide price on a grill, fireplace or awning from a dealer authorized to sell AND install the product–we want to earn your business THAT much! In the long run, we are confident that you will come to appreciate the level of quality and care that we put into everything that we do. Whether it is a simple chimney sweep or gas service call, an entire hearth makeover, or an outdoor room, we want to help you “Bask in the Warmth”!