History of Bijou Glassworks

Eugene “Harold” Wilson served in the World War II Navy Air Corps and was recognized for his expertise as a master craftsman. He contributed significantly at Tucker Car, where he served as a model maker responsible for producing a full-scale wooden prototype of the Tucker automobile. Subsequently, he joined Boeing, participating in the construction of wing holding fixtures for the B52 aircraft. Later in his career, Mr. Wilson established his own companies, Urethane Rubber and Ace Bowling Corp, where he played a pioneering role in the urethane industry. His innovations included creating the first urethane conveyor belt, developing the initial roller skate wheels made from urethane, and designing various urethane components for Brunswick bowling pinsetters.

In 1976, the parents of Eugene M. Wilson, our founder, acquired La Belle Chandelier Company at an auction in Michigan. Mr. Wilson's father had a long-standing interest in lighting and stained glass, while his mother, Antoinette, originally from Paris, France, appreciated fine crystal and stained glass artistry. In 1977, Harold began instructing his son in the craftsmanship of stained glass lamps and windows. Over the following years, Harold and Antoinette purchased a historic opera house through a tax sale, which they renovated to serve as Harold's workshop. This endeavor became Harold’s retirement project.

In 1981, the family established Ye Olde Opera House, which quickly evolved beyond its original function as a simple workshop. The premises featured sales of antiques, chandeliers, Tiffany-style lamps, professional repair services for signed Tiffany lamps and other items, as well as stained glass supplies. During the 1980s, they produced many popular lamp designs of that era. Few anticipated that the stained glass supply business would expand so substantially.

Eugene dedicated his weekends and summers to supporting the family business, and by the time he completed high school, he had contributed not only to the growth of the stained glass enterprise but also to the revival of the urethane division. Working in partnership with his father, Eugene ensured that the business offered an extensive range of stained glass as well as a comprehensive selection of supplies and lamp components. His commitment to sourcing glass from all major manufacturers resulted in the antique shop's space being fully utilized, ultimately allowing the stained glass segment to expand and occupy the entire area previously dedicated to antiques.

The stained glass enterprise became one of the largest in the United States, attracting customers from up to four states who travelled for their products. The business model, now implemented at Bijou Glassworks, relies on maintaining fair pricing, offering an extensive selection, ensuring consistent availability of quality merchandise, and prioritizing personalized customer service.

By 1990, discussions arose concerning the growth of the glass and urethane business, which had outpaced the capacity of their four-story building spanning over 16,000 square feet. To address this issue, management rented an adjacent building for additional storage and considered expanding both facilities. At this time, the company was exporting lamps to France, fulfilling commissions for Tiffany lamp repairs, and continuing to grow. The estimated inventory reached millions of units, with regular deliveries of glass by truckload. In 1991, a significant setback occurred when a gas valve malfunctioned, causing one of the ovens used in the urethane business to catch fire. Unfortunately, the building’s design facilitated the rapid spread of the flames. Within an hour, the entire structure was engulfed, leaving only the basement and a pile of rubble by the following day.

Despite considerable losses suffered by the family, Eugene maintained his commitment to the craft of stained glass. He continued to produce pieces for acquaintances and family members. Nevertheless, the fire resulted in the destruction of invaluable items, including photographic records of his father's expertise, documentation of their contributions to the glass industry, and several signed Handel and Tiffany lamps.

Eugene later became a child advocate, supporting families with disabled children, inspired by his own family's experiences with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This is how he met Delois, our principal owner. In 2019, Delois expressed to her husband Eugene that she wanted to do something special for the family, and she became interested when he talked about stained glass.

Without informing Delois, Eugene placed an order for EDCO foil. Upon delivery, Delois was initially perplexed; however, this event marked the revitalization of the stained glass business. The foil sold out within two weeks, signaling strong demand and sparking renewed interest. This development led to the establishment of Bijou Glassworks and Sales. The name "Bijou" holds significance for the family, as it was also the name of their son's service dog, a Bichon Frise, and translates to "jewel" in French.  

The outlook for Bijou Glassworks and Sales is promising. We intend to restore our previous achievements not only with glass and related supplies but also by reintroducing our own product lines, including supplies, kits, tools, and additional items that have been overlooked in recent years.