Winter 2021 - 68

MEET THE MAKER
American
Appeal
Channel Craft is dedicated to
creating experiential, unique toys,
games and puzzles
By Debbie Eisele
Managing Editor
68 WINTER 2021 MUSEUMS&MORE
C
hannel Craft is a maker of " authentic, American toys,
games and puzzles " based in North Charleroi, Pennsylvania
and literally began as a marketing class project for Dean
Helfer, president and founder. The business initially launched
as a marketing class project, where Dean Helfer, president and
founder, was asked to take a product from the raw material phase
all the way through to the manufacturing phase. Helfer selected
the returning Boomerang for this project as he felt it would
" create a trend on campus. "
" I peddled boomerangs
crafted on my grandfather's
woodworking equipment. I built a mobile woodshop from a
1970 Ford step van and lived on the road for four of my six
undergraduate years. I took that marketing term paper to First
Federal Savings Bank and used it as my first business plan to land
a $10,000 SBA loan, " explained Helfer.
From there, Helfer was asked to exhibit at the New York Gift
Fair's American Craft Pavilion. " I drove that step van across the
George Washington Bridge and landed in Hell's Kitchen for 35 years
of gift shows, toy fairs and advertising specialty expos, " he said.
Channel Craft currently employs 30 skilled craftsmen and
women at its location, situated on the Monongahela River.
According to Helfer, this site was built over 100 years ago and was

Winter 2021

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