Hyatt’s celebrates 50 years in Allentown

Hyatt’s Graphic Supply Co. of 910 Main St., whose customers range from art hobbyists of all ages to major corporations, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. Lon associated with the Allentown arts scene, it may be only business to be headquartered in Allentown for half a century.

The 40 employees of the family-owned company provide design services to customers throughout the country and abroad.

Charles W. Hyatt, who had moved to Buffalo from Whitehall, north of Albany, in 1941, began the business with a few large customers, completing his first business transactions at his dining-room table with his wife Helen. It was not long, however, before the business expanded into a store at 499 Franklin St. in Allentown. In 1961 he moved the expanding business to a larger location at 914 Main St., part of the present location, supplying commercial artists and designers and offering custom framing.

After suffering a large fire in 1965, Charles Hyatt rebuilt in the same Main St. location  which now includes the firm’s headquarters, warehouse and flagship store. With a passion for discovering new artists, Charles Hyatt began selling original artwork. A second storefront on Main St. was transformed into Gallery 912, site of art exhibitions and openings.

He also expanded into selling fine-arts supplies, and opened a second location at 8565 Main St. in Clarence, focusing on arts and crafts.

Charles Hyatt’s sons entered the business: Peter in 1970 and Greg in 1975. They would play major roles, including installation of the first main-frame computer, and after the family acquired the entire building in 1978, remodeling the premises from 4,500 square feet to its present 32,000 square feet. Greg opened the Rochester store and warehouse in 1984. Peter established a new division selling digital sign-making equipment and materials throughout the Northeast. Hyatt’s became a major distributor for Gerber Scientific Products. An engineering-supply division was formed to serve architects engineers and industrial accounts.

With 25 years of sign experience, Hyatt’s now serves customers of all sizes around the globe, providing materials for major manufacturers of traffic and store signs.

Since 1998 Hyatt’s has supplied Pantone products which are a major resource for color printing.

Hyatt’s offers classes for teenagers and adults interested in creating works of art and a summer art camp at its Clarence location for youngsters aged 5 to 12. It provides awards to schools and colleges for art competitions, bargain-priced kits for students in art programs, and was a majr donor for the construction of the new Burchfield-Penney Art Center.