Walter baron, esq., an attorney who practiced in Chicago, IllInois provided funding for Mr. Burt Allen to start a restoration and plating company in Winnetka, Illinois. Al Bar was founded and these two gentleman later merged with Wilmette Electroplaters (founded in 1937). They moved to our current location in the 1940?s. Since then we have acquired Gilbertson’s of Chicago, a fine chicago silversmith.
With these combined talents and a desire for both quality and detailed workmanship wilmette hardware was established. Our finishing is completed by hand – the old way – all under one roof in our facilities in Wilmette, Illinois. This allows for much better depth and quality of the finishes you see in our hardware.
Wilmette hardware steps forward under the direction of Gregory Bettenhausen and a team of craftsmen. Greg earned his bachelors degree in business finance from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and his MBA from Lynchburg College in Virginia. We at Al Bar Wilmette & Wilmette Hardware look forward to including your project in our history.