Crate and Barrel

We first opened our doors in 1962 as a family business. Gordon and Carole Segal had just returned from their honeymoon in Europe where they had been amazed by all of the simple, well-designed and affordable things they had purchased for their home back in Chicago. Things like gorgeous handmade glassware, practical but very nice dinnerware and beautiful ceramic serving pieces. They realized that no store in the Midwest had these wonderful, affordable products for people like them who were just starting out. So being young risk-takers and passionate about all they had seen, they set out to introduce this exciting idea to Chicago. 
That first store was in an old elevator factory on Wells Street, which was on the verge of becoming a very trendy street with stores, antique shops and restaurants. After taking six months to convince the occupants to move, the Segals had just two weeks to set up shop before the Christmas season began. All of their start-up funds had gone into inventory…so crating lumber was hammered over the battered plaster walls, shelves were covered with dyed burlap, and crates and barrels from the first shipments were turned over to become store fixtures. “Crate and Barrel” wasn’t just a clever name—it was a name based on necessity.
In 2008, we officially became an international destination with the opening of our Toronto store, followed by several locations throughout Canada. Our retail passport includes independent franchisees across the globe with more countries on the horizon. We’re global online, too, offering international shopping and shipping to our customers around the world.
Today, Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany, the second largest online retailer worldwide. Our relationship with the Otto Group, which began in 1998, has enhanced our successful expansion across all channels.