elcome to the CopperRiver/Panel Mart. We would like to start out with a brief history of CopperRiver/Panel Mart, Inc.
The Panel Mart was established in April, 1968 by Bill Thomas and his wife, Marilyn, with the sales of wall panels, molding, trim and ceiling tile. A few months later, David Hughes bought half of the business, and early in 1969, Merrill Stech joined as a third partner. The business prospered and a few years later, stores were opened in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Ml. The store in Grand Rapids was closed in 1978.
In 1976, Merrill Stech died of Leukemia, leaving Bill and Dave as owners. Sales expanded to include kitchen cabinets in the early ‘80’s, and we continually strive to increase sales in that area, as well as wall panels. In 1992, Bill and Dave decided it was time to retire, and the Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne stores were split and sold: the Fort Wayne store was sold to Mike Thomas and Bill Pontius and the Kalamazoo store was sold to Sharon Wetherbee and Jerry Thurman.
The Fort Wayne store has grown dramatically, and added the name CopperRiver Cabinet Company in 2002 as an effort to strengthen its market share.
Please view our photo gallery of our products being showcased.
