When the S.S. Merion docked in Philadelphia in 1909, Morris Samuel Kite stepped ashore with only a quarter in his pocket. Life had been difficult in Russia, and he wanted what every immigrant wants: a fresh start, a new opportunity, the American dream. By 1912, he had saved enough to bring his wife, Bertha, and their children over to join him in Chicago, where he settled and the family business was born.

After years of hard work and saving, Morris partnered with other family members to open a general store on Canal Street in Chicago. In those days, there were no cargo planes or gas-powered delivery trucks. Instead, horse-drawn wagons clattered over cobblestone streets, bringing products packed in wooden crates from the rail station to the store. Most of their early customers were installment dealers who sold door-to-door, allowing families to pay over time. This was the original retail “credit card” and led to the growth of consumer financing. 

Gene’s wife, Florence Kite, was a natural entrepreneur and visionary businesswoman. Around 1980, she foresaw the arrival of new retail models and opened the Towel Factory Outlet in a popular shopping corridor. The store sold bed and bath-related products to retail consumers and was an early example of the national outlet store trend. Florence’s enterprising spirit, work ethic, and talent for business made her a role model for women. Her invaluable contributions over the years not only inspired others, but also played a key role in the success of Revere Mills, Inc. 

The 1980s and 1990s were a time of change, growth, and progress for Revere Mills, Inc. During Lori’s tenure, the business opened its New York showroom and expanded both product offerings and their customer base. The company shifted from domestically-manufactured goods to imports, increased warehousing capability, and transitioned into the digital age. Embracing change during these decades paved the way to sustained growth. A new era began in 2004 when Revere Mills, Inc. formed partnerships with global suppliers, and became Revere Mills International Group, Inc. Lori’s daughters, Dana Levenstein and Chelsea Gideon, joined the company in 2003 and 2015, respectively. As the fourth generation to carry on the family business, they’re proud of their past, optimistic about the future, and eager to pass on a thriving company to the next generation. 

In our here-today, gone-tomorrow marketplace, a four-generation family business is a rare thing. When asked how they’ve managed to remain in business over 100 years, Lori credits lessons learned early in life.