Since 1866 The Kittinger Company in Buffalo, NY has been considered one of the best old furniture manufacturers of traditional American furniture. Other United States furniture manufacturers and furniture designers envy our high quality traditional furniture and our reputation as expert handcrafted furniture makers. The Kittinger name has truly become a symbol of tasteful custom made furniture designed with superior craftsmanship.Founded right after the end of the Civil War, under the name of Thompson, Colie & Company, which later become Colie & Son in 1870. This fine furniture company operated in the USA until 1885 as a small, local upholster and furniture designer selling chiefly on the east coast to the Buffalo and New York areas. In 1885, the first real factory was built on Front Avenue (now Busti) in Buffalo. When the company moved into the new plant, the company's top furniture makers and designers began making custom wooden furniture frames for their upholstered patterns and then started making hand carved case goods such as tables. The furniture company also began selling to retailers and people outside the Buffalo, New York area.In 1904, Irvine J. Kittinger, Sr. went to work for the company and a few years later was followed by his brother, Ralph. Subsequently, the two brothers purchased the small furniture company from the Colie family and in 1913, changed the name to the Kittinger Company. Irvine J. Kittinger, Sr. was President and General Manager and Ralph G. Kittinger was Vice-President and Factory Manager.As the Company grew and prospered, it outgrew the Front Avenue factory, so a new modern facility was built at 1893 Elmwood Avenue. The first portion of that existing building was occupied in 1913. 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. It was also during the 1920's that Kittinger began manufacturing home and executive office furniture.In 1937, the Company was awarded and exclusive license to manufacture custom wood furniture reproductions for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.The Kittinger Company's importance to the history of Western New York as expert furniture designers was formally recognized in 1977, by the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society of NY.In October 1996 after ten years of multiple owners, Raymond Bialkowski purchased the US Company and intellectual property, including the name, drawings, and trademarks. Mr. Bialkowski's commitment to re-establishing the Company has transpired into a 80,000 square foot operating and sales facility at 2495 Main St., Buffalo, N.Y. The Company now focuses on custom manufacturing fine home / office furniture and is recognized as one of the top custom wood office furniture manufacturers in the U.S.For the first time in 30 years, The Kittinger Company is now managed and owned locally. The Company's custom furniture makers are comprised of all original Kittinger Company craftsmen and their top furniture designers. The goal remains to
