It’s funny how people become connected in this life. Two talented individuals—one  an American, another from Goettingen, Germany—would eventually meet through their mutual love for fabric, reupholstering and furniture redesign.

Manfried Friedrichs was born in 1939 and was interested in the fabric trades from an early age. His father sent him to Brazil to study with his uncle, who was a master craftsman in upholstery. Manfried was 14 at the time and studied with his uncle for almost four years.

After returning to Germany for a year, he decided to come to the United States. He ended up in New York City, centering his career in upholstery and draperies. He worked with an impressive rank of celebrities, including Alan King, Ben Gazarra, Frank Gifford and some of the wealthiest Americans of the time. One of his clients even owned a mansion in Barbados that was lavish enough to be used by Princess Diana and Prince Charles on one of their vacations.

When Manfried and his wife of 53 years, Anneliese, sold their home in Saratoga Springs, New York, they retired to South Carolina. Coincidentally, Joey Zabatta migrated to South Carolina from the northeast in 2006.

Joey learned the upholstery craft while working alongside his father, Joe Zabatta, in Valley Stream, New York. Joey was a freshman in high school in 1975 when he started working for his father. When the elder Zabatta retired to Myrtle Beach in 2001, Joey took over the business. In 2005, Joey followed his dad to Myrtle Beach and the next year he opened Empire Upholstery in Myrtle Beach.

Empire Upholstery specializes in refurbishing residential and commercial furniture, as well as automobile and boat upholstery. Two and half years ago, quite by accident, Manfried noticed the Empire Upholstery business and decided to stop in to see about part-time work. He has been a valuable employee for Empire Upholstery, and Zabatta is quick to show appreciation for his master craftsman’s work.

“Manfried is golden with his hands. To be successful you have to be passionate about the work, as well as talented. He is a true craftsman.”