Crate & Barrel is an American chain of retail stores dealing in housewares, indoor and outdoor furniture, and home accessories. The company’s headquarters is based in Northbrook, Illinois, and Otto GmbH owns the company. The company has over 170 stores in the United States.
The business was begun by Gordon and Carol Segal in 1962, and the first Crate & Barrel (a 1,700-square-foot store) was opened on Wells Street, Illinois. The company opened its second store in 1968 in the Plaza del Lago shopping center in Wilmette, Illinois, and the third store was opened in Oak Brook, Illinois, in 1971.
In 2008, Crate & Barrel opened its first international store in Toronto, Canada, at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Crate & Barrel stores offer a variety of upmarket housewares, furniture, and other accessories. The company innovated the “Vignette” style display, where the items are grouped together as they would appear in the home. The company also has two sister stores, CB2, which is a home furnishing division that is geared towards young adults.
