Press Release 2023.07.12

Beidelmans seek to landmark iconic buildings

By Beidelman Furniture, Naperville Preservation Inc.

The Beidelman family, owners of Beidelman Furniture, the oldest business in DuPage County, is  seeking local landmark designation for its historic buildings at 235-239 S. Washington Street in downtown Naperville.

The request includes the iconic furniture store on Washington—built in 1928 by Owen “Dutch” Beidelman on the site of an earlier building created by his father, Oliver Beidelman – and a workshop that dates from the 1860s, where Beidelman ancestor Frederick Long founded the furniture and mortuary business on Jackson Avenue. 

The Jackson Street workshop is where Peter Kroehler learned the furniture business and started the Naperville Lounge Company, which later became Kroehler Manufacturing, the city’s largest employer for many decades.  Beidelman Furniture was the first retail store for Kroehler Furniture. 

Designed in a Gothic Collegiate style, the three-story furniture store on Washington is both architecturally and historically important. The north portion of the building was designed as a funeral parlor, with large arched windows on the second and third floor.  The building incorporates the first elevator in Naperville.

As one of the largest buildings in downtown Naperville, Beidelman Furniture is an important entry feature to the city.   Its iconic blade sign proclaims the Beidelman business.

“We’re proud of our building, our business and our long-term commitment to Naperville, where our family has lived and worked for five generations,” said Katelyn Heitmanek, great-granddaughter of Oliver Beidelman and one of the properties’ owners. She added that landmark designation could help them apply for various tax advantages, loans and grants.

In the 1970s, apparently in an effort towards energy conservation, Owen “Dutch” Beidelman bricked over the windows on the second and third floor. Modern windows are much more efficient, so the Beidelman family would like to install new windows. The original parapet could also be re-created.

The owner- initiated  landmark request is on the agenda for the Historic Preservation Commission meeting to be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 25 in the city council chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center.

After the Historic Preservation Commission makes its recommendation, the proposal will go to the City Council for final review. Importantly,  the Beidelman proposal has the enthusiastic support of the owners.  “We know that we own and work in a landmark building. We hope the City Council acknowledges that through official designation,” Heitmanek said.

If approved by the City Council, the landmark designation would be a first for a commercial building in Naperville. Unlike most nearby cities, Naperville has few landmarks, namely Old Nichols Library, the Woman’s Club on Washington Street, the Truitt building on east Jefferson, and the Clow House in south Naperville. .

“The Beidelman family deserve kudos for protecting their historic buildings,” said Jane Burke, vice president of Naperville Preservation Inc., which provided technical assistance preparing the

nomination. “They realize that historic preservation can help encourage a vibrant economy while also protecting Naperville’s downtown.”

Landmark designation will protect the buildings from demolition or inappropriate alterations. It also can help obtain grants, tax advantages and low-interest loans for renovation.

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Attachments: Final landmark application.