- Country Curtains
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Country Curtains was founded by Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick in Whitman, Massachusetts in 1956. They started their business from their dining room table selling unbleached narrow muslin curtains. It was Jack’s idea to sell unbleached muslin ruffled curtains through the mail, reminiscent of their Vermont heritage. At the time, these curtains were not readily available in stores, but Jack suspected he would find a market if people knew where to buy them.
For their first ad, Jane sketched the curtains and together, Jane and Jack wrote the copy. Each afternoon, Jane would visit the post office to mail the curtain orders that had been received the previous day. Not long after, the Fitzpatricks had developed a strong following of customers.
Early on, Jack kept his job with the Lincoln Stores; however in 1958, he was transferred to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. That is what brought the Fitzpatricks to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and of course, with them came Country Curtains. Country Curtains continued to operate out of the Fitzpatricks’ dining room, until in 1969, Country Curtains moved to the Red Lion Inn on Main Street in Stockbridge. The Fitzpatricks saved the inn from demolition, preserving a historic building while accommodating Country Curtains’ need for more space.
In 1976, the Fitzpatricks formed the Housatonic Curtain Company (HCC), a separate manufacturing arm producing products for only Country Curtains. Today, the factory produces 50% of Country Curtains’ line.
In 1981, Country Curtains moved to its current location in Lee, Massachusetts. The construction of the distribution center was accompanied by the first color catalog. In later years, the distribution center would triple in size to hold the ever-growing business.
In 1996, it was decided that Country Curtains should become part of the internet craze, so the website was launched.
Product line
In addition to curtains, panels, shades and top treatments, Country Curtains offers curtain rods and home decorating accessories such as bedding, rugs, lamps, prints and more.
Country Curtains maintains a large presence through its mail-order and online catalogs.
Along with a number of retail stores, the company maintains its flagship store on Main Street in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The flagship store is located in the historic Red Lion Inn, which the Fitzpatricks purchased in 1968 and renovated extensively to house the growing Country Curtains business.
Country Curtains retail stores are located from New Hampshire to Virginia, and as far west as Chicago.
- Retail stores
- Connecticut: Avon, South Windsor, Westport
- Delaware: Greenville
- Illinois: Naperville
- Maryland: Annapolis, Towson
- Massachusetts: Beverly, Pembroke, Stockbridge, Sturbridge, Sudbury
- New Hampshire: Newington
- New Jersey: Far Hills, Marlton, Ridgewood, Shrewsbury
- New York: Fishkill, Manhasset, Rochester
- Ohio: Solon
- Pennsylvania: Warrington
- Rhode Island: Cranston
- Vermont: South Burlington
- Virginia: Fairfax, Richmond
External links
- Official web site
- WAMC Public Radio interview with the Fitzpatricks
- Berkshire Living Magazine event
- article on Country Curtains
- Finnish Country curtains idea
Categories: Companies based in Massachusetts | Family businesses | Mail-order retailers | Companies established in 1956
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