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14 Business Profiles 2017 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com M ost people agree that remodeling a kitchen or bath ranks high on the list of stressful life events. Just ask anyone who has survived such a project. But a local company with more than a half-century of knowl- edge and skill delivers on the promise of making your renovation project a pleasant experience. Kitchen Associates traces its roots to 1958 when Bob Sponenberg moved to Massachusetts from New York. With a $200 investment in tools, he began working out of his station wagon doing small carpentry jobs and kitchen installations. In the ensuing years, business flourished and in 1972, the company opened its first showroom, adopting the Kitchen Associates name. Sponenberg recently retired at age 86, but his son Jay, now President of Kitchen Associates, continues to oper- ate the way his father did – with a strong work ethic and conscientious business practices. Nearly 50 years after becoming incorporated as Kitchen Associates, the company has expanded signifi- cantly. The company's staff has grown to a team of more than 40 experts that includes designers, installation crews, sales staff and support specialists. These profes- sionals have been responsible for thousands of renovated kitchens, baths and other home construction projects throughout New England. In addition to creative kitchen and bath design and installation, Kitchen Associates' has branched out to include entertainment centers, mud and laundry rooms and other projects. "Our sphere is wide. We specialize in cabinets and countertops," says Jay Sponenberg. "We work with a large network of professionals. We put our- selves in clients' shoes and move projects along quickly." The expansion of staff and services had led Kitchen Associates to enlarge its physical space as well. The com- pany has the largest showroom in New England, accord- ing to Sponenberg. For nearly five decades, WoodMode/Brookhaven has been Kitchen Associates' main line of cabinetry. "We have been carrying the line since 1972 and have been one of the top 25 dealers since 1985," says Sponenberg. "We have also been in the top five companies for sales." Kitchen Associates also features Schrock, Homestead and Brighton cabinets as well as the top names in solid surface, granite, laminate and quartz countertops. Kitchen Associates' sister company, Sterling Surfaces, features Corian countertops for residential and commer- cial use and has completed many large projects for aca- demic institutions and upscale hotels. While Kitchen Associates takes pride in its superior products and services, the company also believes in giv- ing back to the community and has been involved in several disaster relief projects. "After Hurricane Katrina we partnered with Dupont and the Jehovah Witnesses to provide Corian countertops at a reduced price and our employees volunteered their time," Sponenberg says. "We've also donated cabinetry for several other commu- nity outreach programs as well. We use our time and resources to help victims of disasters." Sponenberg extends an invitation to visit the Kitchen Associates showroom, located 15 minutes from Mount Wachusett, to see firsthand the quality and selection the company has to offer. He promises that "it's worth the drive." n Kitchen Associates, Inc.: Designed for the Way You Live S T E R L I N G , M A Kitchen Associates, Inc. Address: 76 Leominster Road, Sterling, MA 01564 Phone: 800-788-0733 Fax: 978-422-6990 Website: www.kitchenassociates.com Product or Service: Kitchen and bath remodeling, sales and installation, including counter tops No. of Employees: 43 Head of Company: Jay Sponenberg, President Year Founded: 1972 P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y