1. Bockman’s
1008 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim
714-630-4455
bockmaninteriors.com
Jon Bockman’s grandmother Miriam started making drapes in her garage in the 1940s. She eventually added a second garage – and then got busted by the city for running a business at a residence. That led to the opening of the original Bockman’s store.
Bockman’s showroom, featuring blinds, draperies, shutters, upholstery and carpet, is at its third location, spread over 15,000 square feet off the 91 freeway.
The business was featured on several episodes of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and is topping the Best of Orange County’s blind and shutter store poll for the second year in a row.
Bockman attributes his upbeat, knowledgeable staff to the fact that several of the employees have been with the store for more than 15 years. He says frequent after-hours socializing contributes to the family atmosphere of the business.
But he credits service, selection and pricing equally for the store’s success. And he said the advent of big-box stores and the internet has done little to hurt his business.
“They check out Home Depot and then they check us out,” he said. “And with our service, they’re never going back.”
2. Elizabeth Shutters
1022 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim
888-872-0449
elizabethshutters.com
Elizabeth Shutters is a Colton-based manufacturer with 10 California locations, including one in Anaheim. But that branch is simply a sales office and storage facility – most of the shopping occurs first online, followed by a sales call to the customer’s home.
“If your wife is doing research about shutters, she’s going to come across us,” said President Dean Frost, pointing to the company’s positive reviews on social media.
Elizabeth Shutters, founded in 1980 in San Bernardino, makes all of its shutters and, in California, sells them directly to consumers. Frost said it’s the last company in the U.S. to make solid basswood, acrylic lacquer shutters, and that California manufacturing and direct sales are key to the company’s quality and service.
3. Orange County Shutters
7649 W. Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove
714-891-0090
orangecountyshutters.com
Rebecca Gloudeman launched an interior design company 22 years ago, and her focus on windows led to the business transitioning into a window-dressing company. Ten years ago, the family launched a sister company – overseen in part by her husband, Richard – to make shutters.
They have a 3,000-square-foot showroom that’s managed by their son, Richard James Gloudeman. But Rebecca also makes house calls to show samples and discuss what the customer is looking for.
Orange County Shutters uses an environmentally sensitive water-based paint, with the finish guaranteed for 10 years, according to Richard James Gloudeman.
“Our unofficial motto is, ‘Quality doesn’t have to be expensive,’” he said.