Kessler Glass

 In the mid 30's Warren Kessler had a store on West 23 Street where he assembled lamps. The business was known as Warlou, for Warren Louis Kessler. In 1938 he expanded the operation to manufacturing glass and relocated in Bethpage.

Warren was the eldest son of Austrian Immigrants. He brought many skilled craftsman from Czechoslovakia to produce the same high quality of glass that was the pride of Europe. Many of these craftsmen were housed in a home on Central Avenue and Broadway. In 1941 the factory was in full operation.

The manufacturing took place in Bethpage, while Warren lived in New York City, where the showroom was located on 57th Street near 3rd Avenue. Here Warren conducted business and entertained customers.

Herman Kessler was the genius behind the crafting of the intricate molds. Herman settled with his family in Bethpage and had "hands on" running of the business.

Kessler glass, not only adorned the embassies around the world, they were also purchased for Bloomingdales, Marshal Fields in Chicago, large hotels, movie companies and colleges. They were in full production for the demand of new home owners after World War II, for families needing traditional lamps. In 1960, a Kessler lamp would sell for $300.00.

Kessler closed its doors in the early 1980's.

 

Source:

“Kessler Glass Works.” Kessler Glass Works - Central Park Historical Society Encyclopedia, http://www.bethpagehistory.org/wiki/index.php?title=Kessler_Glass_Works