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16 | May 23, 2019 | 22nd century media Summer Fun Guide
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Knobel’s survives
changing direction
Kitchens & Baths by
Knobel, our family remodeling
firm, specializing
in kitchen and bath design
and installation, has
survived and succeeded
in down sizing our business
from a good-sized
showroom, office and
large warehouse space on
Washington Avenue in
Wilmette, to a space that
contains a small display
area, a few desks and file
cabinets, and a small storage
area, and we love it.
Changing direction is
nothing new for the Knobels.
During the depression
in the early 30’s, Karl, a
carpenter, worked for his
father, Charles, a home
builder, and was out of
a job. His new direction
shifted to the basement of
his small, one-bedroom
home located at 1431 Central
Ave. in Wilmette.
As his family began to
grow, small children and
noisy workshops in the
basement were not compatible.
This time the direction
was out to the alley,
where he built a three
car garage, which served
his growing business until
1948.
When his land was
purchased by the school
board for the expansion of
Logan (now McKenzie)
School, and he was forced
to move. He chose a lot at
1804-08 Wilmette Ave.
Not wanting to share
that new space at 1808,
he constructed a two-part
building at 1218 Washington,
also in Wilmette.
Being creative in his
design and building skills,
Karl decided to join with
others, who were forming
an association to better utilize
the explosion of new
products and business innovations.
In 1968, Karl, and his
new associate, son Peter,
joined the American Institute
of Kitchen Dealers,
and became Certified
Kitchen Dealers, which included
the yearly requirement
of becoming familiar
with new and related products
as well as in service
experience. They were
joined by son Paul, who
then also became certified
as a Kitchen and Bath
Dealer, by the National
Kitchen and Bath Association,
which had been or
formed from the AIKD.
Believing that making
and maintaining good relationships
was a priority
in our lives, the expansion
of the family business into
additional branch outlets
was rejected. Instead, Karl
and Paul dedicated many
years of service and leadership
to the Wilmette Optimist
Club.
Peter used his volunteer
efforts with the NKBA,
where he served both locally
and nationally, and
at St. John’s Lutheran
Church in Wilmette. Supporting
the Wilmette Baseball
Association, Karl
umpired games and sponsored
a team every year, as
we still do. Paul and Peter
were coaches for their
sons’ teams, and enjoy the
“new” Roemer Park.
Now that you know
pretty much about us and
our 86-year-old family
business, what does all that
have to do with Knobel’s
kitchen, bath and other
remodeling work? Among
other things, it tells that we
are experienced experts in
design and problem solving,
featuring new products
and concepts into the
plans suggested for your
project, regardless of its
size.
We use our experienced
suppliers, installers and
sub contractors, and supply
supervision and satisfaction
of client expectations
about on time and
on budget completion. We
do this on a lot of projects,
and upon the completion
of those projects, for a lot
of clients, who reciprocate
by sharing their relationship
with us to a lot of their
family members, friends
and neighbors. It also gives
us the opportunity to meet
and be of service to new
people and their neighbors.
Be in touch. Contact us on
line at kgkinc@aol.com or
call us at (847) 251-4465
to schedule a free in home
visit including a projected
estimate. You can also find
us at www.knobelkitchens-baths.
Submitted by Kitchens &
Baths by Knobel, 1150 Wilmette
Ave., Wilmette, (847)
251-4465, kgkinc@aol.com,
www.kitchensbyknobel.com.