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Building Doghouses And Benches A Labor Of Love For Englewood Carpenter

 Bob Smith has been making benches and dog houses in the yard of his Englewood home since 2011.
Bob The Builder
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WEST ENGLEWOOD — Bob Smith said he started off as an "accidental builder" when a neighbor who breeds dogs asked him to take on a project for him.

Smith, 45, of West Englewood, admits to not knowing exactly how to make a doghouse at the time.

"I had no idea on what to do. I told the guy to come back next week. I finished the doghouse in two days," Smith said. "After two or three days, people started to ask about them. I just make them and sit them out there." 

It has been four years since Smith built that dog house for his neighbor, who breeds dogs for Foster's Kennel.

Evan Moore has seen lots of Bob Smith's creations in the neighborhood.

Smith, who grew up in Bronzeville, sets up in the backyard of a two-flat apartment building in the 7000 block of South Aberdeen Avenue. Smith says that he had gotten many customers who happen to drive by and see him making benches and dog houses. He says he make doghouses for all types of dogs. 

"It started out as a hobby for me. I would bring out my tools, start to make them, and people would ask if they could buy them," Smith said. "A lot people are amazed. They have never seen houses in such colors."

Smith says that the house and benches usually takes between two and four days to build. He charges up to $200 based on the design. He says he once built a dog house that had two stories and a ramp. Some of them are built with porches.

"Some people want windows and some people want them insulated," Smith says. "It depends on what people want. People find out about me from word of mouth. They see me working so they tell a friend, and that friend tells another friend." 

Smith says he fell back on the trade he learned as a student at DuSable High School after complications from five knee surgeries. He sustained a series of injuries while working factory jobs. 

"I'm on disability because I fell down a flight of stairs," Smith said. "Building doghouses keeps me busy."

 

Smith says that the way he learned his trade is a lost art these days since Chicago Public Schools rarely offers any trade programs.

"Back when I was coming up, they had Washburne [Trade School]," Smith said. "They offered trades such as wood shop and auto shop. They closed most of them down."

Smith believes that today's generation could learn something from picking up a trade.

"Kids could [have] a trade and hobby all at the same time," Smith said. "There's always a way to make money off of it. Sometimes, making doghouses and benches don't feel like work."

Smith says what he is doing "just became a hobby. I've been making houses ever since," Smith said. "I hope people see Englewood as something more than the shootings."

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