Steve and Chris are both 3rd generation Kenosha residents. Steve’s grandparents ran an upholstery business out of their house on 75th st and worked for the City of Kenosha as a waste collector. One of Chris’s grandfathers worked at Specialty Brass and the other worked for the County. Steve’s mother was a homemaker and cook for special needs children at Columbus School and his father was a Korean War Vet and Letter Carrier in Kenosha for 42 years of which he never missed a day of work. Chris’s mother was a school teacher and her father played Major League baseball for the Milwaukee Braves and Cleveland Indians. He also held administrative positions at the C.Y.C and developed the youth sports programs in Kenosha. He was also an elected government official.

Le Ether’s is a true family business. Steve’s dad was the stores mailman and after his retirement he came to Le Esther’s to work. Chris’s grandmother Irene would come down and frequently visit the shop also. One year after buying the business Steve and Chris had their first son Nathan. He was down at the store when he was 4 months old. This would place 4 generations at the store on any given day. This family atmosphere fostered the friendly at home service Le Esther’s is known for. Nathan was up on Steve’s back in a back pack waiting on customers and watching Steve do repairs. Their 2nd son Logan was born in 1990 and also joined the family business. Both boys entertained customers over the years.

The Le Esther’s staff is Mark Padula who has been with Le Esther’s for 20 years. Mark is great with customers and an expert lamp repairman. Dick Dumke is a retired Letter Carrier and does all types of repairs and restoration. Dick has been with Le Esther’s for 10 years.