Back in the 1960s, a young Chicago couple by the name of Gordon and Carole Segal had just returned from a honeymoon in Europe. One night, while washing their dishes after dinner, they lamented there was no place in the United States to buy the contemporary, affordable housewares they had admired throughout their travels.
Passionate about making these designs available to others, the Segals hired one employee and leased an abandoned elevator factory on Chicago’s Wells Street. They traveled throughout Europe buying directly from glassblowers and ceramicists and from factories making beautiful French copper pots and simple white bistro dinnerware.
With no money left for displays, they stacked the shipping crates as shelves and filled the overseas barrels with fun merchandise. So out of necessity came the unique Crate and Barrel style…and name.
Today, Crate and Barrel is a leading home furnishing retailer known for its exclusive furniture and houseware designs, including kitchenware, tabletop, and home accessories. Well-designed products at a good value have been the basis of Crate and Barrel’s success since its inception and are still the hallmark of the company. Excellent customer service and quality merchandise have helped the company establish its position as a leader in the segment.