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In the ever-evolving retail landscape of southeastern Wisconsin, few names have endured with the stability and reputation of Steinhafels Furniture. With roots dating back to 1934, the family-owned business has grown from a single furniture store in Milwaukee to a regional powerhouse, and its Oak Creek location is a key chapter in that story—an emblem of the company’s commitment to quality, community, and customer service.

Steinhafels was founded during the Great Depression by John and Agnes Steinhafel, who opened a small furniture store in Milwaukee with a simple idea: offer high-quality furniture at fair prices, and treat every customer like family. That humble philosophy served the company well through the post-war boom and the retail revolutions of the late 20th century.

As suburbs like Oak Creek grew in the 1990s and 2000s, Steinhafels recognized the need to expand its footprint. In 2001, the company made a bold investment in Oak Creek, opening a 100,000-square-foot showroom just off I-94 and Drexel Avenue. The location was more than a retail store—it was a statement. With soaring ceilings, carefully arranged furniture vignettes, and a sprawling warehouse, the Oak Creek store became one of the company’s flagship locations.

Strategically positioned between Milwaukee and Racine, the Oak Creek store drew in customers from across southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Its accessibility, combined with the brand’s reputation, helped make it one of the busiest Steinhafels locations in the state.

But what really set the Oak Creek store apart was its customer experience. The store showcased Steinhafels’ commitment to blending form and function, with expert designers on hand to assist shoppers and an in-house sleep center that guided customers through the often-confusing world of mattresses. The Oak Creek showroom was also one of the first in the company to incorporate Steinhafels’ “inspiration gallery,” helping shoppers visualize entire rooms with curated furniture combinations and modern design elements.

The Oak Creek facility also played a role in logistics. For many years, it was a key link in the company’s supply chain, helping to move furniture efficiently across the region. Steinhafels’ investment in technology and warehousing allowed the Oak Creek store to offer quick delivery and in-stock availability that smaller competitors struggled to match.

Throughout the years, Steinhafels remained a family-owned business, even as it expanded into new markets in Madison, Appleton, and Illinois. That family-first mentality showed up in its community involvement. In Oak Creek, Steinhafels has supported local events, donated furniture to charitable causes, and partnered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Clubs. Its “Green Initiative” also made headlines, with the company recycling millions of pounds of packaging materials annually and operating one of the largest solar arrays in the state.

In 2019, Steinhafels transitioned ownership to its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), ensuring the company’s values and legacy would continue under the stewardship of those who helped build it. That move was celebrated throughout the business community and further solidified the Oak Creek location as not just a store, but a symbol of what thoughtful, people-centered business can look like.

Today, the Oak Creek store continues to thrive in a changing retail environment, embracing online shopping, virtual design consultations, and contactless delivery—all while maintaining the welcoming showroom experience that’s been its hallmark for over two decades.

From its beginnings as a Depression-era storefront to its current role as a regional leader in home furnishings, Steinhafels Furniture—and especially its Oak Creek location—stands as a testament to resilience, family values, and the power of treating customers like neighbors.