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GREATER NIAGARA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Iconic downtown St. Catharines furniture store Critelli’s Furniture & Fine Rugs is celebrating 110 years in business.
The family-owned business has been a fixture in St. Catharines and Niagara for more than a century. The firm was founded in 1914 by Joseph Critelli and his young son Thomas, at the corner of Ormond and Albert Streets in Thorold.
The Great Depression was hard on every Canadian business, but Critelli’s already showed the commitment to quality design, craftsmanship, and outstanding personal service which has helped their business weather the economic storms for over a hundred years. Thomas was able to expand the family firm, with new stores on Queen Street in Niagara Falls and James Street in St. Catharines opening in the 1930s.
By 1961, Critelli’s had found a permanent home in St. Catharines, with two buildings and four furniture showrooms at 126 King St. and Garden Park. Critelli Modern Furniture opened their doors in 2002 at 169 St. Paul St., with two new showrooms offering more modern styles and entry-level prices for a younger clientele.
Critelli’s celebrated their first century in 2014 with the addition of Critelli’s Rug Market, a third building on King Street, featuring authentic silk and wool hand-knotted rugs from famous rug-weavers around the world.
The firm is still family-owned, with fourth-generation owner Joe Critelli and his daughter, fifth-generation owner Julia, together at the helm today.
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of this community,” said Joe Critelli. “I’m proud of our team here, and proud of our history, but I’m most proud to have been able to earn and keep the trust of our valued customers for over a century. It’s incredible.”
At a Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce event celebrating the firm’s 110th year in St. Catharines, Mayor Mat Siscoe presented Joe Critelli with a plaque commemorating the store and recognizing its long commitment to the community.
“As Mayor of St. Catharines, it is with immense pride and heartfelt congratulations that I join our community in celebrating Critelli’s remarkable 110th anniversary,” said Mayor Siscoe. “For over a century, Critelli’s has been more than a business; it has been a cornerstone of quality, craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment to our city. This incredible milestone stands as a testament to the dedication and vision of the Critelli family and their enduring impact on St. Catharines.”
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