Beidelman Furniture has sat at the corner of South Washington Street and Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville since 1861. After 165 years, the business has closed its doors for good.
Moving to Downers Grove in 1988 and renting a two-bedroom condominium, building a family, it was time to decorate. Antiques were a favorite, along with shopping with a very wonderful friend, but quality was the essence of buying the best. My friend took me to Biedelmans, and I bought the marble- top end table above.
As a baby boomer, your furniture should outlive you. Now owner of the same condo, the beautiful table is still in place in great condition, though walls need to be painted once again.
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WGN interviewed the family. “Great-great-great Uncle Fred Long started it in 1861 on this corner, and he was married to a Beidelman. That’s the Beidelman part of the connection,” Beidelman Furniture owner Lana Beidelman Heitmanek said.
Lana and her daughter Katelyn Heitmanek represent the fourth and fifth generations to run the shop.
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The owners said rising operating expenses and industry shifts toward online furniture shopping have made it harder to compete.
