Bel Air Furniture Refinishing originally started as a hobby. Don Long Jr. and Kay Long were avid antique collectors who started fixing up their pieces of furniture in the basement of their Fallston home. Through their network of dealers, they began taking on other’s furniture for a small fee. They did very well refinishing friends furniture, but were soon overwhelmed by work out of the home.

In March of 1972, Mr. W.J. Timmins opened “Bel Air Furniture Stripping”. They featured the Houck’s Process, which at the time was the only “48 Hour” stripping process. Wood, metal, you name it, they stripped it. Unfortunately, shortly after opening Mr. Timmins was forced to sell. Mr. and Mrs. Long approached Mr. Timmins and bought his business, but instead of using the Houck’s Process, used their own they had perfected at their home.

The name Bel Air Furniture Stripping remained for a few years while the Long’s son, Don Long III, was learning the business. The implementation of more stringent environmental regulations forced the business to stop striping and disposing of paint waste. The name was then changed to Bel Air Furniture Refinishing, with an emphasis not on stripping furniture, but on full restoration.

2025 marks another milestone for Bel Air Furniture Refinishing as the third generation of the Long family continues in his family’s footsteps. Don Long IV, who has been working for the company since 2001, assumed ownership to start 2025 still working alongside his father. The Long family is grateful for the support shown to their family by Harford County and it’s surrounding neighbors, and looks forward to serving them for years to come.