Our History

Since the early 1700's, the Winchendon-Gardner Massachusetts area has attracted wood workers from around the world. They became famous worldwide for crafting and manufacturing many of the world's finest home furnishings and have left a legacy of excellence and quality workmanship. Many of the distinctive pieces they have made have been passed down from generation to generation. Today, the area is well known for the Greater Gardner Furniture Outlets, a group of five, family-owned, independently-operated stores (many in their second and third generations of family management). The group was formed to collectively offer over 300 quality brands of furniture. Winchendon Furniture Company, Inc., a member of this group, is owned and operated by the Ladeau family.

Richard E. Ladeau founded the firm in 1939 as Winchendon Custom Upholstery Company, Inc. He developed his skill as an upholsterer while working for his father, George J. Ladeau, at a local furniture manufacturing company upholstering dining room chair seats. When the company needed more space for the upholstery division, Richard rented a small corner in the Winchendon Fashions building and opened his own company. As his reputation for quality work grew, he established a relationship with prominent, local, independent decorators Arnold Seal in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and Bowler, Jones and Page in Keene, New Hampshire. Many of their customers had fine antiques that needed re-upholstering and restoration. Consequently, Richard learned to repair and restore their beautiful furnishings and eventually hired skilled craftsmen to keep up with the demand.

As the years passed, it became more difficult to find skilled craftsmen, and the company decided to offer quality brand name furniture. During the next thirty years, the company made a gradual and complete transition into retail. As a result of this transition, Winchendon Furniture's space needs have grown progressively. We have expanded from a tiny corner of the Winchendon Fashions building, which is now our warehouse, to the main showroom in Winchendon, Massachusetts. In 1980, we increased the selection in Winchendon by opening a large showroom in the warehouse building. At that time, we also opened a second store in Amherst, New Hampshire. In 1999, we expanded and renovated the Amherst store to include more showroom space as well as a new design center.

Since his death in 1972, Richard Ladeau's sons, Jack and Joe, have been carrying on the family tradition. They have been joined by a third generation, Richard's grandsons: Keith, Jeff, and Ryan. This continuity in family management has allowed the company to grow to its present stage through new visions by family members and loyal employees. We believe quality and craftsmanship can best be fostered in the intimacy of a small, personal, family company.

Through the years, Winchendon Furniture has maintained a commitment to excellence and value for the successive generations of families we have served. Our customers have an appreciation for fine workmanship for a reasonable price and have returned again and again with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are thankful for their devotion to our tradition of quality.

We invite you to become part of the Winchendon tradition.