Month: March 2018

We are always immensely grateful to have enjoyed a long history in a town where history presents itself, quite literally, on every street corner. We’ve told you all about the building here on the corner of 4^th and Main, gone over the history of our prized cash register and even taken you on a journey through the past to figure out exactly when old fabrics and stamps made their way to the store.

Some items have been in our possession for up to 110 years – but others come to us by different means. This week we wanted to highlight a few antiques that we’ve been privileged to acquire from friends of the store and community members who enjoy the history of city.

Most days people take things out of Fitterer’s and back to their own home. Other times however; they bring something in to us!

We’ve received yard sticks imprinted with Fitterer Bros. branding and contact info from days gone by. Some of these we can’t even date back to, as their age and rarity make it difficult to pin point. The yard stick pictured below for example , we simply could not date. We usually try to find clues on the item to give us an idea of age, and the phone number “Main 97” would be the most distinctive marker. With no search results on the web, we actually took to our Facebook friends for this one. We got a few leads and possible date of 1922 from our fans and local history buffs!

Discovering something new is always a joy -as is discovering something with an interesting back story! A few days ago, we were fortunate to receive a lithograph that was removed from the side of an old building in the process of being demolished. The metal plate, about one yard wide was a newspaper lithograph that happened to feature Former Rodeo Queen Kathie Fitterer and her 1965 Royal court. We were able to share this treasure with the Kathie herself, and learned that its common to find these lithograph panels on old buildings.

We’ve even received China, purchased as a wedding gift at Fitterer’s just a few years after the new store on 4^th and Main was opened, and an amazing 1896 coin on another occasion.

We value the relationship we have with our customers and the community of Ellensburg above all else. We love to be able to share stories that make their way to us through the generous tight knit network that we call our friends, family and neighbors. 

Good morning! It’s another sunny March day in Ellensburg!

Today we’d like to take a trip back to when the Fitterer building that we know today first came to the corner of 4^th and Main!

People often come into the store and ask us if we’ve been in the same building all 122 years we’ve been in business. While the store we know today has been standing for over a Century , the Fitterer brothers (Phillip and Frank at this time) , sold home goods and furnishings at a location on the corner of 3^rd and Main.  The original 3rd Avenue location was actually very close to the old Robber’s Roost trading post opened by Andrew Jackson Splawn and Ben Burch in 1870. 

The Fitterer’s success, driven by top notch service, hard work and long hours, resulted in expansion. In 1907 the the South East lot at the corner of 4^th Avenue and Main Street was purchased for $6000, and construction on the new building started shortly after. 

Over 225,000 bricks make up the building –  the majority were actually manufactured locally in Ellensburg at the Cobel brickyard. The beautiful brick and large display windows identify the impressive 120’ x 60’ structure; completed in February of 1909.

One of the most unique features of the Fitterer building is the second floor balcony. Something many people don’t know, is that the building was actually designed to stand just two stories tall. The balcony, added to the 18ft first floor, would later be converted into a second floor for additional showroom space. This unique modification used a system of steel rods to suspend the second floor from the third floor ceiling. If you find yourself walking through the store today, you may notice the rods while you browse. These, along with the zinc plated cash register are just a few reminders of Fitterer’s earliest days!

While there have been modifications over time, the 21,600 square foot building has been fully operational since its construction in 1909. The next time you find yourself downtown, stop by and see us. We’d love to share our story with you!

Good Morning!

This Thursday we’d like to share a little bit about how furniture was delivered at Fitterer’s in years past!

You’ve probably seen our delivery crew out and about on the streets of Ellensburg , Yakima, Wentatchee, Leavenworth – or even Seattle! We actually deliver statewide , so you never know where you might see a Fitterer’s truck. Thanks to modern technology, trips across the state are possible today, allowing us the opportunity to build relationships with our customers who don’t call Ellensburg home.

While we have grown with the times, it’s fun to look back at the history of business operations at the store!

Naturally, there were no box trucks to fill up in 1896. So how did Fitterer’s get merchandise to customers back then? Well, as the stories go, it all starts with a few horses and a wagon.

Walking into the store today, you’ll see the sales office in the back left corner. Presently we process paperwork, take payments, and keep our vintage cash register in this space. In the 1890’s however, this is where  the delivery horses took their breaks. It sure is hard to imagine horses standing where desks sit today!

As time went on the horses were replaced with more modern means of delivery. The buggy pictured below is rumored to have been the first replacement for the teams of horses, though an exact date for this change is unknown.

Vehicles for delivery continued to be updated as time went on, including a newer version of the original buggy, and also a vintage version of today’s modern box truck. Each vehicle was stamped with ‘Fitterer Bros Furniture’ and served as tools to get home furnishings to customers all over Ellensburg.

Though the way we deliver furniture has evolved, our commitment to a quality customer experience remains unchanged. With statewide delivery being a possibility today, if you’re passing through Ellensburg and in need of furniture – stop by and see us! We have cookies, too.