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Since 1866, the Kittinger Furniture Company of Buffalo, NY, has been recognized as one of the world's finest manufacturers of traditional American furniture. Our top New York furniture designers created much of the magnificent wood office furniture on display in the White House. Indeed, the Kittinger name has become a symbol of distinctive custom made furniture designed with superior craftsmanship. More than six generations of fine craftsmanship are reflected in the furniture we create. For more than 120 years, Kittinger has set the highest standards in styling, cabinetmaking, finishing and upholstering. Kittinger Furniture's history is a tribute to the craftsmen and women of the Kittinger Furniture Company, and to the city of their birth, Buffalo, New York. Looking at the fine furniture we manufacture, it may be hard to imagine that the company that was to become Kittinger started as a paper and rag warehouse. Thompson, Colie and Company opened its doors in 1866 when Buffalo, New York was a major Great Lakes port, as well as a "melting pot" of Polish, German and Italian immigrants looking for work and for a place to raise their families. These hard-working people became a major factor in Kittinger's success. In 1901, serious illness forced founder George Colie to hand over the daily operations of his company to his son-in-law, Irvine Kittinger. For the 27 year-old Kittinger, this was the perfect opportunity to be part of a growing enterprise. He discovered, too, that furniture manufacturing was a great outlet for his artistic nature. Irvine Kittinger began buying out his partners, sales soared, and in 1913 he became president and general manager of what was known from then on as the Kittinger Furniture Company. As the company grew and prospered, it outgrew the Front Avenue factory, so a new modern facility was built at 1893 Elmwood Avenue. Rapid growth continued and a large addition to the Elmwood Avenue plant was completed in 1929. This was a milestone year as sales exceeded one million dollars for the first time. By now, the Company was truly national and furniture showrooms were opened from coast to coast. For our company, 1969 - 1972 was the "White House Era," when Kittinger was called upon to refurbish the West Wing Presidential offices and to build a conference table for the Cabinet Room. In 1971, the State Department chose to give select pieces of Kittinger furniture as gifts to visiting ambassadors and dignitaries from around the world. The White House damask fireside chairs that Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and William J. Clinton sat in for many "photo-opportunities" are original Kittinger Furniture creations. These specially built Kittinger chairs are still very much evident today. After a decade of multiple owners and a period of shutdown, October 1996 marked a momentous rebirth for Kittinger Furniture. Having spent over 18 years mastering his craft as a Kittinger cabinetmaker, Buffalo native Raymond Bialkowski purchased the company. Thus poised, he re-opened Kittinger, turning an empty 85,000 square foot facility - located at 2495 Main Street in Buffalo - into the thriving furniture business it is today. Under Mr. Bialkowski's proud stewardship, Kittinger continues to create furniture to the highest degree of quality. Indeed, Irvine Kittinger's corporate philosophy continues to live through Mr. Bialkowski's dedication to the true art of traditional furniture making ...