Built to Last

Colorado’s family businesses carry legacies forward

In Colorado, some businesses aren’t just companies—they’re family legacies. Passed from one generation to the next, these enterprises have endured industry shifts, economic cycles and cultural change by leaning on something deeper than strategy: trust, tradition and a sense of purpose that extends beyond the bottom line.

From custom closets to fine furniture to windows built to last, these family-run firms prove that craftsmanship and care are values worth carrying forward.

Closet Factory

In the early 1990s, Mark and Polly Lestikow were at a crossroads. Mark had been president of a company producing business books on cassette tapes—an industry on the verge of collapse with the rise of CDs. With a year’s notice before the company shuttered, he began searching for his next chapter. His father had always urged him to go into business for himself, advice that resurfaced when he spotted an ad in Inc. magazine: “We’re looking for a few good presidents.” The ad was for a Closet Factory franchise.

Intrigued but unfamiliar with the concept of custom closets, Mark tested the idea the old-fashioned way—by asking parents at his children’s swim meet whether they had heard of such a service. Nearly everyone had either used or knew someone who had. Convinced there was a market, he pitched the business plan to his wife, Polly, who agreed to invest money she had inherited from her parents. On January 13, 1992, Closet Factory of Colorado opened its doors.

From the start, the business flourished. “They were selling closets like hotcakes,” recalls their son, Doug Lestikow, now CEO.

The early years were simpler—customers could choose between just two materials, white or almond—but the demand was strong. A key figure in those formative days was Luis Salazar, a factory manager sent from Los Angeles to help set up operations. He decided to stay in Colorado, becoming Closet Factory’s first long-tenured employee and eventually its production manager. More than 30 years later, Salazar and several of his sons still work in the shop, a testament to the company’s family-like culture.

That culture has been central to Closet Factory’s growth. “My dad just always made people feel important,” Doug says. “Even in jobs that can be monotonous, he never made anyone feel expendable.” Today, nearly 100 employees—some with decades of tenure—keep the company running smoothly. Generational loyalty extends beyond the Lestikows: Multiple families, from installers to shop workers, have brought in their relatives to join the team.

For Doug, growing up in the business meant weekends sweeping sawdust and evenings assembling belt racks at the kitchen table for 50 cents apiece. Yet his parents never pressured him or his siblings to join the company. Instead, they encouraged independence. Doug studied finance, worked in small-business valuation and envisioned a career in corporate America. But when his father began planning for retirement, he asked his children whether they had any interest in continuing the business.

At first, Doug resisted. But the more he thought about it, the more the opportunity appealed to his entrepreneurial instincts. He joined Closet Factory with a caveat: He needed to earn his place. Starting in sales, he learned the role of a designer firsthand, then moved into technology, introducing systems and tools that modernized the company’s processes. Later, he shifted into operations, working closely with long-time managers to prove his commitment.

In January 2023, Doug officially stepped into the role of CEO. Polly remains president, while Mark has retired—though he still lights up when discussing the company he built from scratch.

The second generation has brought its own style of leadership. Where Mark thrived as a hands-on entrepreneur making quick decisions, Doug leans into structure. “Scaling a business really requires more predictability and standardization,” he says. Under his direction, the company has fortified its systems, ensuring growth feels steady rather than chaotic.

That growth is central to Doug’s vision. Closet Factory has expanded far beyond closets to include pantries, mudrooms, laundry rooms and home offices—essentially any cabinetry project outside of kitchens and baths. Running 15 installation crews a day, the company is poised to strengthen its reputation as Colorado’s gold standard in custom storage.

Still, Doug credits the company’s staying power less to strategy than to culture. “You can make great decisions, but if you’re not kind to people, your business won’t be great,” he says. “The stability we have comes from employees who’ve been here twenty or thirty years. That’s because of the way my dad treated people.”

As Closet Factory looks ahead, Doug balances his father’s entrepreneurial spirit with his own systems-driven approach. Together, those philosophies continue to shape a Denver business that has grown not just through savvy decisions, but through a foundation of trust, respect and family.

Closet Factory of Colorado, 8480 Upland Dr., Suite 200, Englewood, 303.219.4193, closetfactory.com/locations/denver

Howard Lorton Furniture & Design

In 1927, when Howard Lorton opened his furniture showroom at Speer and Broadway, Denver looked like a very different city. The Golden Triangle district was still dotted with auto dealerships, and Lorton’s current space was once home to a Studebaker showroom. But Howard had a vision: to bring the very best of the furniture industry to Colorado families—pieces that blended beauty, comfort and craftsmanship.

Nearly a century later, that vision still anchors Howard Lorton Furniture & Design. Now located at 12th and Broadway, the store remains a family-owned landmark, helmed by Howard’s great-grandson, Will Cook, and his wife, Margot, vice president of operations. Together, they are shepherding the business into its fourth generation while honoring the traditions that have defined it. The fifth generation has worked in the business during the summers, and their daughter, who is studying finance at college, has expressed an interest in joining the business.

For Margot, the key to the company’s longevity is simple but unwavering. “We’ve stuck to Howard Lorton’s vision,” she says. “We are a high-end home furnishings retailer, and it would have been easy to shift to lower-priced items to appeal to a broader market, but then we’d sacrifice on craftsmanship. We’ve stayed true to our core, bringing the best the furniture industry has to offer—and pairing it with exceptional service.”

That service includes touches rarely seen in the industry: complimentary in-home interior design service; free delivery across the Front Range and into the mountains to Vail; and an in-house upholsterer and furniture repair technician. “We go above and beyond for our clients,” Margot explains. “It’s about taking care of them end-to-end, so they can create beautiful homes where their families thrive.”

The company’s commitment to family is more than a metaphor. Margot and Will run the business side by side, building on the legacy left by Will’s father, Bill Cook, who led the firm for decades until his passing a few years ago. “It’s an honor,” Margot reflects. “Our business has always been about families. Whether we’re furnishing a home for a newly married couple, a family with kids or even multiple generations, there’s a responsibility to offer something unique, something lasting.”

That uniqueness shines through in the company’s approach. Roughly 80 percent of its work involves special orders—customized sofas, dining tables and bedroom sets tailored to each client’s vision. Customers can choose from thousands of fabrics, finishes and configurations, creating pieces that feel both timeless and personal. “It’s more boutique than traditional furniture retail,” Margot says. “Clients aren’t just buying furniture—they’re creating their homes.”

Adapting to changing tastes has also been key to Howard Lorton’s success. Twice a year, Will and the buying team travel to High Point Market in North Carolina, the world’s largest furniture trade show. The tradition runs deep—Bill even attended the market during his honeymoon. “High Point is where we see what’s coming,” Margot explains. “It helps us honor tradition while staying ahead of trends.”

Today, the showroom reflects a mix of styles: traditional, transitional, mountain modern and sleek contemporary designs. Clients can experience furniture in person—sitting, testing and adjusting—while also accessing vast digital catalogs and customization tools. “Furniture has to be experienced,” Margot says. “You can’t always buy it sight unseen. Comfort and fit matter—what works for my six-foot-tall husband may not be right for his five-foot-two wife. That’s why we encourage people to come in and try pieces themselves.”

Looking forward, Howard Lorton is also deepening its ties with the interior design community, working with ASID and IDS to become a destination for designers as well as homeowners. “We can make designers’ lives easier by handling freight, delivery and installation,” Margot says. “That lets them focus on their core business—creating beautiful spaces.”

For Margot, who joined the company full-time in 2019 after a career in corporate training and customer service, the role feels like a natural culmination. “You hit points in life where your experiences come together,” she says. “For me, it’s the chance to carry on a legacy, to work alongside my husband and to help people create homes that are truly their sanctuary.”

That legacy extends well beyond Denver—Howard Lorton holds the distinction of being the longest-accredited Better Business Bureau member in Colorado. From the grandeur of its historic building to the intimacy of a custom-ordered sofa, the company continues to embody Howard’s philosophy: Home should be a place of joy, beauty and comfort.

Howard Lorton Furniture & Design, 12 E. 12th Ave., Denver, 303.831.1212, howardlorton.com

Gravina’s Window Center of Littleton

When Jim and Gail Gravina launched Gravina’s Window Center of Littleton® in 1973, their vision was simple: to offer Colorado homeowners something better. At a time when most builders were installing steel or metal windows, Jim introduced high-quality wood replacement windows into existing homes—a pioneering move that helped shape Colorado’s replacement window industry. That instinct to innovate, paired with a commitment to craftsmanship, set the tone for what would become a multi-generational business.

Today, more than 50 years later, Gravina’s Window Center of Littleton is the state’s oldest authorized Infinity® by Marvin® dealer and one of the longest-running dealers in the country. The company has grown well beyond Jim’s early days of selling windows and gutters, but its guiding principle remains the same: never cut corners when it comes to a customer’s home.

“The company really grew alongside the family,” says Tony Ramirez, the company’s director of marketing and the owners’ son-in-law. “Jim and Gail started the business when they got married, and it’s been part of their lives—and their kids’ lives—ever since.”

The Gravina name is woven into every corner of the business. Jim and Gail’s eldest, Crissy, is the top Infinity saleswoman in the country. Jeff and Mike guide growth and leadership, preparing the company for its next half-century. Lisa, Jenny, Jon and Jake lend their talents in scheduling, service and customer care, supported by grandchildren who pitch in with fresh energy. And Gail herself has remained a steady presence, known for supporting the team with flowers at trade shows and coffee on Friday mornings.

Gravina’s was the first company in Colorado to sell Infinity by Marvin windows, a product line known for its durable fiberglass construction. Unlike vinyl or wood, fiberglass offers durability, energy efficiency and sleek design. The company’s installation philosophy sets it apart, too.

While some competitors opt for quick “insert” replacements, Gravina’s installers perform full-frame installations, removing the entire window down to the studs. “It takes longer and costs more in materials, but it protects the home and ensures the job is done right,” Ramirez says. “When we leave, it should look like the windows were always meant to be there.”

Though rooted in tradition, Gravina’s Window Center of Littleton is far from stuck in the past. The company continues to evolve with new products, branding updates from Infinity and an ever-growing emphasis on customer trust.

“Homeowners want to know who they’re dealing with,” says founder Jim Gravina. “They can come into our showroom, meet our team and know we’ll be here to stand behind our work.”

As the next generation steps into leadership roles, the Gravinas are focused on steady growth rather than rapid expansion. The priority, Ramirez emphasizes, is ensuring the company’s promise of craftsmanship and care endures for decades to come.

“The mission has never changed,” he says. “It’s about doing what’s right for the home, for the family living there and for the community we serve. That’s the legacy Jim started, and it’s what we’ll keep building on.”

Gravina’s Window Center of Littleton, 209 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, 303.794.0490, windowsforyourhome.com