Steinhafels
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Company History

John E. Steinhafel
Pictured above:
John E. Steinhafel
In 1934, John E. Steinhafel and Arthur Mueller partnered together and opened Mueller-Steinhafel Furniture at 3565 N. Teutonia Avenue. This location was a former grocery store that quickly deprived the successful furniture store of adequate space. A few years later, Mueller-Steinhafel expanded the business, by acquiring a second grocery store next door.
Steinhafels
In 1944, Arthur Mueller died. John E. bought out Arthur’s half and relocated the business to 2430 North 3rd Street and dropped Mueller from its name.
Pictured to the left is our store from the winter of January 1947. The snowstorm was the longest, worst, and most costly in Milwaukee history with drifts as high as 15 feet.
  In 1959, following the development of the western suburbs, the second-generation Steinhafels convinced John E. that it was time for the business to move west. Consequently, Steinhafels built a 40,000 sq. ft. store on 84th and Capitol Drive, making it the first building in Milwaukee built expressly as a furniture store. All five children (Elaine, Jim, Bill, Mary, and John) became equal partners; each owned 20% of the business. John E. wanted all of his children to take part. It didn’t matter if one was the oldest or the youngest, female or male, all were equal partners. 2nd Generation
  The vision and leadership provided by the second-generation partners set the groundwork for today's continued success. During the 1960's through the 1980's, Steinhafels continued to expand, but never compromised the product quality or friendly service that had been the hallmarks of the first generation. Pictured above:
The 2nd Generation
Front Row: Jim, Elaine, and Mary
Back Row: John and Bill
  In the mid 1960s, Steinhafels built a 42,000 sq. ft. warehouse space on 126th and Townsend Street in Brookfield.  
 
1970, the business opened a 60,000 sq. ft. showroom on Layton Avenue.
3rd Generation 1973, the company built a 100,000 sq. ft. distribution space in New Berlin.  
1980, the 60,000 sq. ft. Waukesha showroom opened.  
Since the early 90’s, the third generation (Ellen, Gary, and Mark) has operated the family business and ushered in a new era of growth. Today, Steinhafels prides itself on its diverse line of furniture products, forward thinking, environmental consciousness and community giving.
Pictured above:
The 3rd Generation
Front Row: Mark and Ellen
Back Row: Gary
1995, the company expanded to Madison with the vision of a larger one-story superstore with expanded selection.  
 
1999, the Kenosha Superstore opened its doors, continuing the concept of a larger one-story superstore.
 
 
2002, the Steinhafel family purchased farmland from the Graf family. This site is now the location of a 420,000 sq. ft. corporate campus that is located on the southwest corner of County F and I-94. This facility is divided into a 250,000 sq. ft. distribution center, a 120,000 sq. ft. showroom floor, corporate offices and a community room.
 
 
2006, the company continues to grow, opening a 125,000 sq. ft. showroom in Menomonee Falls.