Spector Furniture & Home Decor owners Kenneth and Howard Kreiger Sunday celebrated the store’s 125 years of serving the community.
Elected officials, customers, and community members joined the brothers in marking the milestone.
The store at 385 Main St., Ansonia, was founded in 1890 by Simon Spector. It has always been family-owned, the Kreigers said, and they pride themselves on personalized customer service.
From the store’s website:
“Spector Furniture has been handed down through generations of families, starting with George Spector who took over when his father Simon retired. Eventually, his nephew Larry Winer joined him and worked in the business for 81 years!
“When George retired, the Kreiger family stepped in, with David Kreiger becoming Larry’s partner.”
On Sunday Simon Spector’s grandson, Simon Rich of Hamden, was on hand to represent the family. “My grandfather would be proud in this day and age that (the store) keeps going,” he said. “It’s a joy to see it so successful.”
Office manager Debbie Crowther of Ansonia was hired in 1981 by the Kreigers’ late father, David Kreiger.
She said at the time it was a part-time job; she was a senior in high school. Although Crowther said she never imagined working at the store for more than 30 years.
“It worked out well for me,” she said.
She said with the exception of using computer technology the store has continued to do business the same way it always has. She said their customer base includes generations of the same families.
David Kreiger bought the store in 1969. He died at age 59 in 1982, and Kenneth Kreiger started working there that year. His brother Howard came on board in 1987.
Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President William Purcell congratulated the Kreigers on the store’s longevity. He spoke about major events that have affected the local economy since the store was established, ranging from two world wars, the Depression, the Flood of 1955 and a 2001 fire that leveled nearby Latex Foam Products Co.
“If these walls could talk,” Purcell mused.
Mayor David S. Cassetti also congratulated the owners. He said when it was founded during the Industrial Revolution, Benjamin Harrison was President.
“Among the factories (in the city) following the Industrial Revolution there was one constant on Main Street, Spector Furniture,” Cassetti said.
He said the Flood of ‘55 “carried all of the store’s inventory out the front windows.”
Howard Kreiger said supporting small businesses is great for the whole community. He said he and his brother work to give back to the community by running fundraisers.
“We offer showroom space for the Valley Arts Council (to exhibit artwork), and we hold fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley,” Howard Kreiger said.
He thanked Main Street businesses that donated food for the celebration, including The Original Antonio’s, Crave, Hot Tamale, Eddy’s Bake Shop, Koi, DiGiovanni’s, and Europol.
The Kreigers said to celebrate their 125th birthday they were donating $125 to the Kathleen B. Samela Memorial Food Bank at Christ Episcopal Church in Ansonia, and another $125 to the Salvation Army Greater Valley Corps’ food bank, also in Ansonia. Salvation Army Advisory Board members Bob Van Egghen and his son, Rob Van Egghen, accepted the donation on behalf of the nonprofit.
State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D‑Woodbridge, said his family has known the Kreigers for a long time. He read a congratulatory letter from the General Assembly and wished the Kriegers “continued success for another 125 years.”
Crisco said he was also there on behalf of state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, who was unable to attend.
Ben Florsheim from U.S. Sen. Christopher Murphy’s office, brought greetings from the senator.
He said Murphy described the store as “an anchor” for the city’s downtown business district.
Former Ansonia Alderman Peter J. Danielczuk congratulated the Kreigers on their anniversary. He said he has fond memories of the store, since his father had worked there for 64 years.
The Kreigers are both graduates of Syracuse University. They also own Recliners and More, a store at 214 Amity Road, Woodbridge.
