Pictured above:
John E. Steinhafel
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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. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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1970, the business opened a 60,000 sq. ft. showroom on Layton Avenue.
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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. |
