Established 1982
The early
years. Inspired by a love of
antiques, Mona Zelienka decided one day to have some Amish carpenters living in
her rural Wisconsin neighborhood build some reproductions and sell them at the
local crafters sale. 1982 became a year filled with
trips to festivals throughout the Midwest. Not only was it great fun but a tremendous learning
experience. It was soon evident that if products could be made using fine craftsmanship and sold at a fair price, much success could
be gained. Little did she know, what she took from those first experiences
would soon launch a thriving business.
1984 found husband Jack coming on board. The couple
could sense something great happening. Up to this point, Especially
for You was becoming King of the Crafters. "Where do we go from
here?" was often the topic at the dinner table. A decision was finally made. Not only would the company sell their products to the wholesale trade, they would do it
nationally. This was a bold move for two people still used to picking up
finished goods from the local Amish settlement. An agreement was
reached with a national sales organization to represent their
handcrafted line. Luck seemed to be shining on them. A well-known chain of
retail specialty stores gave them their first order. It did not take long to
fill their garage and storage sheds with product. One thing the two vowed never
to forget was that quality and price brought them to that point. Not just that
first year, but all of the early years were a huge
success.
The 1980s. The 1980s found the company
establishing itself as one of the most reliable manufacturers in the giftware
industry. A mission statement was formed using
quality, design, honesty and trust as its cornerstones. Especially for You was quickly becoming the darling of the trade.
The 1990s. The 1990s were more than
eventful. A few hundred SKUs grew to over 700. Some of the most imaginative
artists from around the country were brought on board
to refine the line. Architectural accents, specifically the
Manhattan Collection, was introduced and immediately became a hit.
Especially for You was growing by leaps and bounds...
then it hit... tragedy struck the company on
The
new millennium. The year 2000 and beyond has been a time
of consolidation and refinement at Especially for You. Two distinct styles of furnishings have
emerged to comprise the company’s Home
Collection. Contemporary designs are predominately manufactured in Ash while the Transitional
assortment uses Maple. Over 20 exclusive
finishes make this one of the most designer
friendly lines in the furnishing industry.
The company’s product line is well known for high design, high quality
and high perceived value. For those retailers who demand exclusivity,
EFY Contract Manufacturing capabilities
take product from concept, thru development to the showroom floor. In summary, Especially
for You designs can be found in fine furniture stores, specialty shops, in
national catalogues and upscale department stores throughout the