Quilici Glass

Business history: Quilici Glass was started by Joe and Georgia Quilici in August 1971. Joe Quilici had been working for Pittsburgh Glass and already had 20 years of experience working in the business, when the couple decided to give running their own glass shop a try. "We started out in the old fish market right next door," recalled current owner, Georgia Quilici, during a recent interview at the business's South Arizona Street location.

"We started out doing auto glass, home repair and some small commercial buildings," said Quilici, who said that the business took off right from the start.

"It was good," said Quilici. "It's always been good," she added, although she said that initially things were a little slow during the winter months. In the past 10 years, business has picked up to the point that the company's four employees no longer experience any "slow time" during the year, Quilici said.

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In 1974, Quilici Glass moved from the old fish market into a new building at their current location. Quilici said the original building was destroyed in an arson-related fire 20 years later in March of 1994. The business immediately rebuilt the glass shop at the same location. "Even with the fire we never missed a day of work," said Quilici.

Joe Quilici retired from the business in 1990, and the business is currently being managed by Joe and Georgia's son, Joe R. "Joey" Quilici.

Products, services and specialties: Quilici Glass specializes in auto, home and commercial glass jobs. Quilici also offers vinyl window installation for new and remodeled homes.

Business philosophy: "I think our philosophy is to provide a good product and a good service and to try and please the customer," said Quilici.

Advice for others wanting to start a business in Butte: "You have to be committed and you have to work hard at it. Many a time Joe and I got called out in the middle of the night to fix a window," she said.

Quilici also said that a business's reputation is critical to success. "Word of mouth is the best advertising you can have. It can either hurt you or help you," she said. Quilici noted that employees are important to a business's success. "You need your employees if you want to have a good business. They're the core," she said.

What makes doing business in Butte and SW Montana unique? "I think you get to know your customer on a personal basis," said Quilici. In Montana, that's a good thing.

"The customers are real good to deal with," she observed.

What are some of the rewards and challenges of doing business for yourself? Quilici said she gets a sense of accomplishment and pride from looking at the work Quilici Glass has done throughout the community. She also commented that running your own business can be challenging due to long hours, hard work and the difficulties in finding good help. Quilici said when it comes to the latter, Quilici Glass has been fortunate.

"We've had a lot of good employees over the years and not much turnover," she said.

Future plans: Quilici said the business plans to maintain the status quo. "Just to try to continue what we're doing and improve what we can improve upon," she said.

— Paula J. McGarvey, for The Montana Standard Got an idea for a Business Spotlight? Contact Montana Standard correspondent Paula J. McGarvey at 782-6510 or e-mail pjmcgarvey@in-tch.com.

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