April 2024
I’m sure everyone knows about The Kitchen Company (301 SE 6th) since it’s been voted “Favorite Store Downtown” in the “Best of the Rogue Valley” for the last twenty years. The store was the brainchild of Roy Heinzle, who talked his friend Frank Wright into opening a specialty kitchen store in Grants Pass back in March 2003. They’re now celebrating their 21st year in business.
“My family moved to the Rogue Valley in 1973 because my grandfather wanted out of the ‘city life’ and this area reminded him of his homeland in Austria,” Roy said. “I’d worked various jobs after high school and some classes at RCC, which had just opened, and I discovered that I really enjoyed working retail. I got a job at Fred Meyer when they first opened in 1988. At one point, the housewares order clerk had to leave abruptly, and they stuck me there to take her place. I learned about housewares as I went. The motivation for opening a kitchen shop was ignited by a customer who came into Fred Meyer one day and was so taken by my customer service that she said I should open my own shop. Soon after, another kitchen shop in town, the Kitchen Connection, closed and suddenly people were asking for many things that were not available in Grants Pass.”
Frank moved to Coos Bay in the early 90s and lived there for ten years. “Roy was a friend of mine, and he asked if I would like to be part of a specialty kitchen store in Grants Pass,” he said. “I have always loved retail and had my own business buying and selling antiques. I was not into cooking too much when we started The Kitchen Company, but I found I had a real affinity for kitchen accessories, especially cutlery, cookware and appliances. I order most of the inventory in these categories. I’ve also discovered that I’m a pretty good cook and enjoy preparing meals on my days off.”
The Kitchen Company as a business is a reflection of what its customers have asked for. “We have tried our best to carry quality items that hold up,” Roy said. “Many are made in the U.S. and others from foreign countries. I’m glad that people look at the shop as a place where people meet and have fun. Some call it their ‘happy place,’ and that says a lot about our staff. We’re in our third location now, and we were able to redesign the space into a welcoming atmosphere.”
Frank agreed. “When shopping at The Kitchen Company, customers can expect to find an employee knowledgeable about what they want and ready to answer their questions,” he said. “The associate will show customers what we have available and find the best fit for their needs. We can sometimes find a product that we don’t normally stock, especially from companies we already use. We also offer a knife sharpening service. Our sharpening expert knows the correct angle for each knife brand and expertly puts on a new edge. He also does minor repairs, and sharpened knives are usually back in the store in 2-3 days.”
Roy invites everyone to come join the fun. “Customers can expect to be treated as friends and family,” he said. “They can also expect a one-of-a-kind curated kitchen shop. We’re here to answer all of their questions.”
For more info, the phone number is 541-955-5311. You can also see them at thekitchencompanygp.com and on Facebook.
