Embedded Files
Beidelman Furniture 2020—Source: RealVision
History
History
Beidelman Furniture at 235-239 S. Washington Street in downtown Naperville is the oldest business in DuPage County. The iconic furniture store on Washington was built in 1928 by Owen “Dutch” Beidelman on the site of an earlier building created by his father, Oliver Beidelman. It is attached to 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.
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.
On August 20, 2024, Beidelman’s application to make their buildings a local landmark was approved by City Council. These buildings are Naperville's 5th designated landmark and 1st commercial building to be landmarked.
The Journey
The Journey
In 2023, the Beidelman family decided to seeking local landmark designation for its historic buildings at 235-239 S. Washington Street and consulted with Naperville Preservation Inc for technical assistance.
“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.
The 76 page application was submitted to the City of Naperville by Lana Beidelman Heitmanek and Katy Heitmanek with assistance from Naperville Preservation in July, 2024. Please read a few articles about the submission:
2024.07.24 NCTV17: Nearly Century-Old Beidelman Building Seeks Local Landmark Status
2024.07.23 Chicago Tribune: Beidelman Furniture, a Naperville fixture for more than 160 years, seeking local landmark status
2024.07.19 Daily Herald : ‘All in the family’: Landmark status sought for Beidelman Furniture building in Naperville
The Result
The Result
On August 20, 2024, Beidelman’s application to make their buildings a local landmark was approved by City Council. These buildings are Naperville's 5th designated landmark and 1st commercial building to be landmarked. (Prior to that, on July 25, 2024, the Naperville Historic Preservation Commission voted 9-0 to recommend that the Beidelman buildings be designated a Naperville local landmark.) Please read a few articles related to the HPC's recommendation and City Council's approval:
2024/08/26 Chicago Business Journal: Beidelman Furniture plans renovations for Naperville building after winning landmark status.
2024/08/26 Daily Herald: Naperville council gives Beidelman Furniture buildings landmark status.
2024/08/24 Press Release: Beidelman’s Now an Official Landmark
2024/08/20: Beidelman’s application to make their buildings a local landmark was approved by City Councill on Tuesday, August 20th It is File # 24-0862B. These buildings are Naperville's 5th designated landmark and 1st commercial building to be landmarked.
2024/07/25: The Naperville Historic Preservation Commission voted 9-0 to recommend that the Beidelman buildings be designated a Naperville local landmark. The next step for the buildings is to go to City Council for approval of the HPC's recommendation.
2024.07.26 Chicago Tribune: Naperville’s Beidelman Furniture recommended for local landmark status
Page updated
Report abuse