Chicagoland Paint Retail Store Company To Add 45 Jobs Upgrade Operations And Pursue Expansion
Addison, IL — (February 17, 2016) JC Licht, a near-legendary brand in Chicago’s retail paint industry, has been acquired from Benjamin Moore by private investors with extensive industry experience who will pursue an expansion of Licht’s retail business. The new owners have begun implementing upgrades that include the build-out of a new distribution center in the Village of Addison, a new headquarters and the opening of the 31stJC Licht Chicago retail store. Company-wide upgrades will generate approximately 45 new full-time jobs by year’s end.
“Our mission is to offer the finest paint and paint-related products, along with advice at the highest levels, to create an unmatched resource within the painting and decorating industry,” stated Mr. Greenberg who now heads the company as owner, president and chief executive officer. “We are announcing the purchase today simultaneous with our move into new facilities that allows us to better serve the Chicago market.” Mr. Greenberg purchased the JC Licht chain from Benjamin Moore with a minority partner for an undisclosed price in 2015.
The 38,000 square foot Addison facility is scheduled for completion by the end of February and will provide distribution to the company’s now 31 area locations.
Mr. Greenberg, a native New Englander and a 36-year veteran of the paint industry started work in his family’s paint business the day after he graduated from Colgate in 1979. Already ownership has undertaken substantial upgrades and investments in the business which will add approximately 45 jobs by the close of the year.
“Benjamin Moore is delighted that JC Licht is in the capable hands of Elliot Greenberg who has great depth in the retail paint business,” stated Dan Calkins, Benjamin Moore executive vice president of sales. “JC Licht has a great team of dedicated professionals and Elliot’s energy will bring them to the next level. We’re very pleased that Benjamin Moore paints will continue as JC Licht’s flagship brand.”
State Representative Deb Conroy, whose 46thDistrict includes the Village of Addison, praised the move as good for the region. “JC Licht has been an exemplary business for decades,” said Conroy. “I want to congratulate them on their expansion in our community. I look forward to working with them and other local businesses to continue to attract job growth to the area.”
Addison Mayor Rich Veenstra, praised the move as well, saying, “Addison is honored that JC Licht chose our village as the new location for its headquarters and operations. We are a strategically located, business-friendly town with ready access to a quality workforce.
“Our daily focus,” added Mr. Greenberg, “is to fulfill each order with utmost speed and efficiency while engaging customers about how best to meet their needs, to solve their paint and decorating-related problems, and to make every job a success. Our customers range from homeowners to contractors who paint and decorate the largest buildings in Chicago. Both are equally critical to our business and are treated as such.”
The near legendary retail paint chain was founded in 1907 by Jacob Christian Licht who opened his first store in Chicago at 3150 W. Twelfth Street. Since its inception, the business flourished and grew to over 30 stores before it was bought by Benjamin Moore in 2000.
