OUR STORY

Stephens Plumbing - Celebrating 100th Year Anniversary in 2024

In 1923 Calvin Coolidge was in the White House. Half way across the country, Henry Rosenbaum, and Art Stephens Sr. started Stephens and Rosenbaum Plumbing at 1033 Burlington in a little town called Downers Grove. In 1927 the partners built the building at 4920 Main St. and moved their business there.

In 1929 the depression hit the business hard. Through hard work and pacing themselves, the plumbing company survived. Sometime between 1930 and 1933, the heat went out at the old Reporter building. In order to keep the press from freezing, they moved the ink rollers to Stephens and Stephens repaired the heating system.

In the good years, Stephens Plumbing helped build many prominent buildings in Downers Grove. These include Avery Coonley School, Kenilworth Apartments, the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the old Woolworth and Ross buildings.

In 1942, they moved the business to the corner of Main and Maple. In 1968 the business was sold to a long-time employee and graduate of Downers Grove Community High School, Valentine Clause. Val decided not to change the name, and continued to operate as Stephens Plumbing and Heating Inc.

Stephens continued to grow and in 1974, the business moved to 501 Rodgers. The reputation of old-fashioned service and embracing new technology continued to spread.

In 1980 Stephens moved to 747 Ogden, where it continues to operate today.

In 1985, Val Claus sold the business to long time employee and son, Matt. The pride the original owners instilled in the business never changed. Stephens reputation continued to grow. Stephens built a reputation for high end kitchen and bath remodeling. They also grew from just hot water heat and steam heat, to forced air heating and cooling.

In 2010 Matt sold the business to another long-time employee and brother, Tony. The economy was not good at the time, but Tony kept the business alive and well. Then the pandemic hit. Tony’s pride and determination kept Stephens in operation.

In 2021, Tony sold the business to Matt’s son, Kevin Claus. Today, Kevin and the crew service around 900 clients every month. Speaking of the crew, some of the plumbers have been at Stephens for about 45 years.

Now we celebrate 100 years in Downers Grove. The past will always remind us the importance of pride, compassion and great service. The future will continually provide us with the new technology we will pass on to our clients. We know there is more history to write.