In today’s fast paced world it is difficult to find businesses that offer integrity, breadth of knowledge, immaculate skill, honesty and an attitude that goes the extra mile. Add a heavy dose of personality and you have: the Bellows Shoppe in Hubbard Woods. I recently brought several valuable family heirlooms to be repaired and could not have been happier with Rod Pijal’s thorough, prompt and painstaking service with a smile. I took him a broken project that seemed impossible, to mend, and he restored it to a family treasure! Thank you, Rod!!

-Julie Isaacson

My name is Evie Rooth. I have lived on the North Shore for over fifty years (maiden name: Yastrow).
I am writing to you today to express what exceptional attention I have received recently from Mr. Rod Pijal. I have been at The Bellows twice in the past month for lamp repairs. On both occasions, Mr. Pijal was very polite, accommodating and honest. He was reassuring. The manner in which he responded has resulted in me becoming a lifelong client. I will share this experience with my many friends and large family!

– Evie Rooth

Dear Friend, As my personal “globe man”…thanks so much for all your extra help in getting these to fit. Enclosed is a photo of your effort – GREAT. Always a pleasure doing business with you.

– C. Thurlwell

I appreciate the work done on the bed. The end result is amazing and it looks great in our condo. Thank you for your guidance throughout the refurbishment process.

-Warren

Dear ones at The Bellows Shoppe, However can I thank you!

-Molly G.

I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am with the antique loving cup that you cleaned and polished for me. Originally I had no idea what metal it was made of, as it was so tarnished it looked like a combination of brass and copper with silver embossing. What a surprise to see this beautiful shiny golden colored cup with silver accents. It is truly beautiful. Thank you so much for your expert work.

Sincerely,
Veronica N.

I want to express my surprise and gratitude that you were able to so skillfully repair the broken panel on my Arts & Crafts iron and slag glass lamp base. I bought the lamp at a gallery auction and was heartbroken to find when I brought the lamp home that a section of the old green slag glass in the base was broken during the trip home. The lamp was otherwise perfect. I know from my own experience and as the daughter of antique & art dealer parents that it is nearly impossible to perfectly match antique slag glass. It is usually an “obvious” repair, even when done well. Imagine my surprise when you called and told me you were able to perfectly match and replace the broken piece of old slag glass! When I arrived at your store, I saw indeed that the match and repair were indeed 100% perfect. I cannot tell which piece was even broken or repaired. Your work is excellent and I willl never take my broken treasures anywhere else but to you for repair. I have had all my old lamps rewired by The Bellows Shoppe and I really like the fact that you have materials to accomplish this that look true to the period of the piece. This way, your antique lamps appear to be all original, even after a wiring update. Again , thanks for your excellent work!

-Gail F. Haskins, Glenview, Illinois

The Bellows shop is not only the finest plater in Chicagoland but also an excellent place for glass repair and lamp repair. We completely renovated our home over three years ago, requiring all of these services. One of our biggest projects was nickel plating all the exposed metal in our home. We tried numerous platers in the city of Chicago and on the north shore and determined that The Bellows Shoppe’s expertise, attention to detail, customer service, and pricing is unmatched by other Chicago area platers.

– Randal Hall

I just wanted to say thanks. I just was in your shop and picked up a late 1800’s brass and copper ash shuttle that you polished and coated for us. As usual the results were flawless. We have been your customers for 20+ years and really appreciate all that you have done. We live in circa 1916 Seyfarth Colonial. Seyfarth was an architect in the office of George W. Maher until 1909 when he started designing homes on his own and is credited with over 60 houses on the North Shore. Ten years ago my wife removed all of the original tarnished door handles, plates, and hinges and brought them to your shop. A decade later they still look marvelous. To my way of thinking that really shows the quality and durability of your work. In addition your prices are fare and the date of completion of work has always been timely. Thanks for the great service and I will be in soon as I enjoy seeing the great mix of old and new lamp’s etc. in the shop.

– Ron Scheff
Highland Park, IL

The Bellows Shoppe has done a great deal of restorative work and specialized cleaning at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glenview. We are very pleased with the quality of their work and their willingness to work around funerals and other planned services at church. They have cleaned, polished, and lacquered many bronze pieces including very large candlesticks and tabernacle. They have also cleaned our 5 beautiful chandeliers several times. I recommend them without hesitation.

Yours truly,
Mary Foley

Bartlett Shower Door Company and the Bellows Shoppe have been doing business together for the last 13 years. They have provided us with the highest quality of plating on various types of metal and the continued efforts of offering us good customer service has made them the best in the industry. Our relationship with the Bellows Shoppe has been nothing but excellent. We highly recommend them as a qualified professional metal plating company.

Sincerely,
Cookie Klemptner

Thank you so much for fixing the chalice so beautifully!! Pastor Brett said it looks better now than when it was first purchased! It was really fun to open the bag and show him your work! He was really impressed & happy. And he and the treasurer were and are blessed by the generous discount given to us. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God bless you both. You are very special people.

Love,
Jim & Jane

To Steve and to everyone at the Bellows Shoppe,

I can’t thank you enough for all of your help with my “mini crisis”! You saved me and mended my broken soul…not to mention my broken fixture, in record time. Your generosity has proven that even in this day and age, helping others is not a lost art. I am grateful, and will return the favor in any business or projects I can send your way!

Truly,
Rebecca
p.s. I love the fixture, it looks beautiful!

We would like to extend a great big “Thank You” to you. Due to your quick response to our needs, we were able to complete the work at the Feldman (bronze panel) residence. It is an extreme pleasure working with your company.

Sincerely,
Joe