Country Curtains
Encyclopedia
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
curtain
s. 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.
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
Jack Fitzpatrick (businessman)
John Hitchcock Fitzpatrick was an American businessman and politician from Massachsuetts.Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, Fitzpatrick grew up in Rutland, Vermont. He served in the United States Army during World War II. After the war, Fitzpatrick went to Middlebury College and in 1951 received his...
in Whitman, Massachusetts
Whitman, Massachusetts
Whitman is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 14,489 as of the 2010 census. It is notable as being the place where the chocolate chip cookie was invented....
in 1956. They started their business from their dining room table selling unbleached narrow muslin
Muslin
Muslin |sewing patterns]], such as for clothing, curtains, or upholstery. Because air moves easily through muslin, muslin clothing is suitable for hot, dry climates.- Etymology and history :...
curtain
Curtain
A curtain is a piece of cloth intended to block or obscure light, or drafts, or water in the case of a shower curtain. Curtains hung over a doorway are known as portières...
s. 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
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield is the largest city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Berkshire County. Its area code is 413. Its ZIP code is 01201...
. That is what brought the Fitzpatricks to Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,947 at the 2010 census...
, 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
Lee, Massachusetts
Lee is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, metropolitan statistical area. The population was 5,943 which was determined in the 2010 census. Lee, which includes the villages of South and East Lee, is part of the Berkshires resort...
. 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
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
to Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, and as far west as Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
Retail stores
- Connecticut: AvonAvon, ConnecticutAvon is a town in the Farmington Valley region of Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. , the town had a population of 18,098.Avon is a suburb of Hartford. Avon Old Farms School, a prestigious boarding school, is located there. In 2005, Avon was named the third-safest town in America by...
, South WindsorSouth Windsor, Connecticut-History:In 1659, Thomas Burnham purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, chief sachem of the Podunk Indians. Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children...
, WestportWestport, Connecticut-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices.... - Delaware: GreenvilleGreenville, DelawareGreenville is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 2,326 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Greenville is located at ....
- Illinois: NapervilleNaperville, IllinoisNaperville is a city in DuPage and Will Counties in Illinois in the United States, voted the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine in 2006. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 141,853. It is the fifth largest city in the state, behind Chicago,...
- Maryland: AnnapolisAnnapolis, MarylandAnnapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, TowsonTowson, MarylandTowson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census... - Massachusetts: BeverlyBeverly, MassachusettsBeverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
, PembrokePembroke, MassachusettsPembroke is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,927 at the 2000 census.The southwestern section of Pembroke is also known as Bryantville...
, StockbridgeStockbridge, MassachusettsStockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,947 at the 2010 census...
, SturbridgeSturbridge, MassachusettsSturbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is home to Old Sturbridge Village living history museum and other sites of historical interest such as Tantiusques.The population was 9,268 at the 2010 census...
, SudburySudbury, MassachusettsSudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, population 17,659. The town was incorporated in 1639, with the original boundaries including what is now Wayland. Wayland split from Sudbury in 1780. When first incorporated, it included and parts of Framingham, Marlborough, Stow... - New Hampshire: NewingtonNewington, New HampshireNewington is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 753 at the 2010 census. It is bounded to the west by Great Bay, northwest by Little Bay and northeast by the Piscataqua River. It is home to Portsmouth International Airport at Pease , and to the New...
- New Jersey: Far HillsFar Hills, New JerseyFar Hills is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 919.Far Hills was incorporated as a borough based on an Act of the New Jersey Legislature passed on April 7, 1921, from portions of Bernards Township, subject to the results...
, MarltonMarlton, New JerseyMarlton is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Evesham Township in Burlington County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population of Marlton was 10,260.-History:...
, RidgewoodRidgewood, New JerseyRidgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village population was 24,958. Ridgewood is an affluent suburban bedroom community of New York City, located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan.The Village of Ridgewood was...
, ShrewsburyShrewsbury, New JerseyShrewsbury is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 3,809.... - New York: FishkillFishkill, New YorkFishkill is an upscale village within the much larger town, Town of Fishkill, one of the fastest growing towns in the region, in Dutchess County, New York, USA. The village population was 1,735 at the 2000 census...
, ManhassetManhasset, New YorkManhasset is a hamlet and neighborhood in Nassau County, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 8,080....
, RochesterRochester, New YorkRochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City... - Ohio: SolonSolon, OhioSolon is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and is an affluent suburb of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,348...
- Pennsylvania: Warrington
- Rhode Island: CranstonCranston, Rhode IslandCranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
- Vermont: South BurlingtonSouth Burlington, Vermont-Economy:CommutAir, a regional airline, is headquartered in the city, by the airport. The Magic Hat Brewing Company, one of the United States's larger craft breweries, is located here.One measure of economic activity is retail sales...
- Virginia: FairfaxFairfax, VirginiaThe City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, RichmondRichmond, VirginiaRichmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...