A Small Town Manufacturer with a Big Legacy: Renovator’s Supply’s Place in Design History

Renovator’s Supply Manufacturing has earned a distinctive place in American design by proving that a company rooted in a small town can shape the way people restore, understand and preserve historic architecture. Based in Millers Falls in Massachusetts, the company built its legacy by focusing on something simple but often overlooked. It recognized that the fixtures and materials needed to restore classic homes had slowly vanished from most stores. This gap left homeowners without reliable ways to protect the character of their properties, especially those with Victorian or early American design features. Renovator’s Supply stepped into that space and created a business that still stands out for its commitment to craftsmanship, accuracy and traditional style.
The story began in the late 1970s when founders Claude Andre Jeanloz and Donna Jeanloz purchased an eighteenth-century colonial farmhouse that required detailed restoration. As they worked through their project, they discovered that even basic items like Norfolk latches and rim locks had become difficult to find. Clawfoot tubs and other period fixtures had also disappeared from the market. Instead of settling for modern substitutes, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Their search for authenticity soon turned into a business idea shaped by the belief that historic design should remain accessible to anyone who wants to preserve it. In 1978, they launched Renovator’s Supply and created a small catalog of about four hundred products, which they distributed through The Old House Journal. The response confirmed what they already suspected. Homeowners around the country were eager for a source that offered traditional products with the look and quality of earlier eras.
As demand grew, Renovator’s Supply began manufacturing many of its products rather than relying on outside suppliers. The company established its own brass forge, woodworking shop and foundry so it could maintain control over quality and design accuracy. This decision allowed the team to reproduce fixtures based on historic patterns, ensuring that each item reflected the craftsmanship and proportions of the originals. Renovator’s Supply also secured patents and trademarks in the United States and China related to its product designs. These steps strengthened its reputation as a company that understands both heritage and innovation. While the products were inspired by the past, the company relied on precise manufacturing to meet modern expectations for durability and performance.
The 1980s brought new opportunities for creativity and expansion. Renovator’s Supply launched a publication called Victorian Homes in 1982. The magazine introduced readers to nineteenth-century design and helped increase interest in traditional interiors. The company also opened retail stores throughout the Northeast and eventually operated sixteen locations. In addition to its core catalog, it experimented with new ideas, including a catalog designed for left-handed customers. These efforts showed that the company was not afraid to test new markets while continuing to focus on traditional architectural products.
By the 1990s, Renovator’s Supply had become a familiar name in the mail-order industry. Millions of catalogs were distributed each year, and the company played a meaningful role in renewing public interest in American architectural history. But the decade also brought challenges. Technology issues related to the Y2K transition and the financial pressure of an automated warehouse created difficulties. At the same time, customer behavior was changing as online shopping grew in popularity. Instead of resisting these changes, Renovator’s Supply embraced them and became one of the early companies in its field to invest in e-commerce. This decision allowed it to navigate the shift from print catalogs to online sales and maintain its connection with customers who valued traditional design.
Entering the 2010s, the company continued to strengthen its digital presence. Renovator’s Supply built on its long history of catalog-based marketing and combined that experience with online retail strategies. In 2015, it expanded further by joining Amazon Canada after years of success selling through Amazon in the United States. This move opened the door to a wider customer base and helped the company maintain relevance in an increasingly digital marketplace. While the tools had changed, the mission behind the business remained the same. It continued to help homeowners, designers and contractors find well-made products that preserve the authenticity of period homes.
Today, Renovator’s Supply still operates in Massachusetts and continues to produce many of its classic fixtures in-house. It also works with established international mills and suppliers to source select items that meet its standards. Its catalog has grown to include pedestal sinks, corner sinks, vanities, clawfoot bathtubs and the high tank pull chain toilets that have become one of its signature products. The company offers faucets in brass, chrome and other finishes along with lighting fixtures that reflect traditional patterns. Its hardware selection includes wrought iron hinges, brass and glass doorknobs, locksets and cabinet hardware. Home decor items such as wainscoting, mirrors, moldings and staircases remain part of its core offerings, as do outdoor products like fencing and garden ornaments.
Renovator’s Supply has helped keep traditional craftsmanship alive while also adapting to the needs of modern construction. Its products often improve on old designs by using stronger materials and reliable mechanisms that make them easier to maintain. These updates do not change the visual character of the items but make them more practical for everyday use. This balance between preservation and improvement is one of the company’s most defining qualities.
As the years have passed, Renovator’s Supply has earned the respect of homeowners, designers, and restoration enthusiasts who want to keep the look and spirit of historic architecture intact. Many credit the company for making it possible to restore old homes with materials that feel true to their origins. What began as a personal challenge for two homeowners has become an important influence in the world of restoration and design. Renovator’s Supply stands as proof that a company from a small town can have a long-lasting impact by staying dedicated to quality, authenticity and the belief that history deserves to be preserved with care.