our history
Work hard for what you want and you will succeed. It is the essence of the American dream, and it was deeply instilled in Kolson’s owner John Landy from his childhood in the Great Depression.
Born in 1927, John is the prototypical success story of America’s “Greatest Generation.” A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, he eventually went to Baruch College on the GI Bill. While there, he not only earned his degree in retailing, but met the love of his life, Ruth.
In 1960, John and his father, Louis, bought Kolson Hardware, a general hardware store located on Cuttermill Road in Great Neck, NY. In 1970, the store moved to its current home at 653 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck. The site had a lumberyard in the back, and the top floor was occupied with apartments.
The general hardware business was steady, but John had a vision of something different...something more. Homeowners were becoming more sophisticated in their tastes, and John saw an increasing desire for the kind of high-end plumbing fixtures and decorative hardware that couldn't be found in a typical hardware store. He and his wife, Ruth, began to comb trade shows in America as well as Germany, England, Spain, Italy and France. John established new relationships with the top American and European manufacturers
John's father passed away in 1975, just as the new Kolson business model was emerging. The
business
continued to grow, and the lumberyard was closed and converted to storage space for Kolson's
expanding inventory.
In 1980, the second floor became available and was reinvented as a kitchen and bath
showroom to display Kolson’s huge selection of faucets, sinks, toilets, mirrors, medicine cabinets and
bathroom accessories
from the most innovative American and European manufacturers. More and more
professional designers and
architects flocked to Kolson, knowing they
would find exactly the unique fixture or hardware they needed.
In 1985, the family tradition continued when John’s daughter, Dale, joined the company. Five years later, she transformed both the first and second floors into the luxurious, eye-popping showrooms they are today.
Today, at age 80, John Landy remains an active part of Kolson, sharing day-to-day responsibilities with his daughter, Dale. Together, they remain committed to providing the best products and the best service to discerning customers throughout the Tri-State area.