1881: Emil Meininger arrives in Denver from Chicago, Illinois (after the “Great Chicago Fire”) and opens a book, bindery and art materials store at 430 Larimer Street with business partner William Floto. It was the same year the first electric lights were installed in Denver. East Coast publishers sent artists to the area to paint the Rocky Mountains and it’s people. Emil stocked a broad range of artist’s tools to satisfy customers’ needs.

1886: Frederic Remington and Emil Meininger became friends when the artist stopped in Denver on his first trip to paint the Native American tribes of southwestern Colorado. Charles M. Russell also frequented the shop and had his friend Emil send art supplies as far away as Montana. A year later the store moved to 915 16th Street.

image of the Meininger store, facade, 409 16th St, in downtown Denver, Colorado

1905: The store moved to 409 16th Street. Emil’s son Henry Roland “Chief” Meininger took over management and the store’s name was changed to H.R. Meininger Co. The store became a landmark staying at this location for 56 years.

image of the Meininger store, interior, 409 16th St, in downtown Denver, Colorado

1933: H.R. "Cap" Meininger, Jr. became manager of the business. By hard work the company survived the Great Depression and began to grow. Before Dwight D. Eisenhower became president, he would do his own shopping at Meininger's and later through his aides continue to buy art supplies.

image of the Meininger store, 1555 Tremont Stin downtown Denver, Colorado

1961: H.R. Meininger Co. moves to 1555 Tremont Street.

1963: H.R. Meininger Co. moves to 1415 Tremont Street. Cap's son and daughter, Henry Meininger and Candy Meininger, are involved in the business.

1981: H.R. Meininger Co. celebrates it’s 100th Anniversary.

image of the Meininger store, interior, 1415 Tremont St in downtown Denver, Colorado

1986: The fourth generation of Meininger’s takes over the management of the company and under Henry's direction, the fine art department begins to grow and the store becomes the single largest art supply store west of the Mississippi.

image of the Meininger store, 499 North Broadway in Denver, Colorado

1990: Having outgrown the Tremont location, Henry and Candy have a 30,000 square foot building constructed at 499 Broadway, Denver, to house the business which serves customers in England, Japan, South America, Kuwait and Australia as well as all 50 states.

1992: Henry, as President of the Board of the Art Student's League of Denver, leads the ASL to purchase a permanent home located at 200 Grant St., Denver.

1993: H.R. Meininger Co. opened a new 7000 square foot retail store at 201 South Weber St., Colorado Springs.

1995: Henry, who has been very active in the International Art Materials Association (NAMTA) for many years, becomes NAMTA Board President.

1998: H.R. Meininger Co. creates an online presence through the website: MEININGER.COM, where artist resources and art materials are available.

2004: Henry is honored as a Hall of Fame Recipient by NAMTA at the annual convention held in Denver, Colorado.

2005: Judd Meininger, the fifth generation, joins the Meininger staff.

2006: H.R. Meininger Co. is voted by NAMTA members as Members Choice Award for Favorite Retailer of 2006. The company celebrates 125 years in the Art Materials business.

2009: H.R. Meininger Co. purchases Art Hardware in Boulder, Colorado at 1135 Broadway St., west of and right across the street from CU on the “Hill”, and opens a third 10,000 square foot retail store managed by Judd Meininger.

2018: H.R. Meininger Co. closes the Boulder, Colorado store due to Colorado University expansion, but focuses on customer service, product knowledge, classes, education and services in both the Denver and Colorado Springs brick and mortar stores. The web store, meininger.com, also grows.

image of Colorado Springs store in Colorado Springs, Colorado

2022: H.R. Meininger Co. closes the Weber St. store and opens a new retail store at 814 South Tejon St., Colorado Springs, Colorado.

THE FUTURE: H.R. Meininger Co. is a dynamic company always seeking new directions of growth.

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DENVER: 303.698.3838 | 800.950.ARTS [2787]
COLORADO SPRINGS: 719.578.8070