Following up on our recent look at Erika’s St. Charles kitchen that combined wood doors with steel kitchen cabinet frames — here is my vintage marketing material introducing Youngstown Kitchen’s Woodcharm line. Looks like the year of introduction was 1957. And there were four wood species to choose from, for the door: “Mrs. Homemaker will love the warm, blending, tones of these lovely wood finished species of Autumn Birch, Fruitwood, Sandalwood, and Honeywood.”
I’ve scanned the four-page brochure. As I mentioned in my previous post, steel cabinet makers were in competition with wood cabinet makers in this era. These wood-doors on steel-bases were the “best of both world.” I also suspect that as the economy boomed, there were more outlets for steel production along with inflation in prices. So that could have been pushing the market toward wood. It also mentions in this brochure that by 1957 Youngstown Kitchens had 80 distribution warehouses nationwide. That’s pretty amazing. They were the largest of the “Big Three” cabinetmakers — Youngstown, Geneva, St. Charles.
Door styles could be “EASILY converted from one door finish to another….Selling homes is made easier when Kitchens can be tailored to the individual”…
Now that I look at it, this brochure was aimed at home-builders. That makes sense, because it came with a salesman’s set (which I’ll show soon.)
By 1957, the company was owned by American-Standard, full name: American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corp.
Becky says
I am currently trying to sell several Youngstown Kitchen Cabinets – I’d like to sell – I am located in Kansas City, KS – they are originals built in our home. In very good condition.
Serial # W-839904 Serial # W-653685 Serial # W-775650 Serial # W-785603 Serial # W-790406 (2) of Serial # W-800974 Serial # W-728211 Serial # W-616220 Serial # W-870911 Serial # W-815283
I do have a few pieces that are Youngstown but I am not able to locate the serial # by just looking on the inside of them.
Please contact me if interested…
pam kueber says
Becky — we have a very active buying/selling community — but you have to go over to our Forum: https://retrorenovation.com/forum .. good luck.
Terri says
Becky,
Hello, I am very interested in your cabinets, I am in Salisbury, MO and in process of negotiating for home in Independence, Jackson County, MO which has 3 kitchens (originally built as three story apartments. http://www.trulia.com/property/3047444231-9715-E-16th-St-S-Independence-MO-64052 Could you take any pictures of them to send? Thanks
Terri
pam kueber says
Terri — All buying/selling of cabinets is handled on the Forum, so head over there: https://retrorenovation.com/forum