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Peter and Astrid Gruettner have bought Lodi Glass on Lodi Avenue. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
Classy glass
Quality Glass Company to open Lodi location; already helping customers
Peter Gruettner's choice was clear as glass. When the option to buy Lodi Glass became available, he had to take it.
The owner of Quality Glass Company in Stockton, Gruettner purchased the business on the corner of Lodi Avenue and Stockton Street in February. Together with his wife, Astrid, and their crew, Gruettner has been diligently working to open the store by Monday. They will have a grand opening on April 2.
Born and raised in East Germany before the Berlin Wall fell, Gruettner learned the glass trade from his uncle, Dieter Brink, who worked in the industry for 40 years.
The Gruettners immigrated to the United States in 1992, eventually settling in Stockton after going through the process to become naturalized citizens.
They opened Quality Glass Company, and have since expanded the operation, with nine employees and the addition of the Lodi location.
Though Astrid Gruettner works full-time as a dialysis nurse, she fills in at the shop on her time off.
"We do everything that has to do with houses and commercial," Peter Gruettner said. Whether the need is for shower doors, plate glass or mirrors, Quality Glass Company will supply it, said Peter Gruettner, a high-energy smiling man.
The company works with other businesses such as Rod's Art Glass to create custom pieces for patrons looking for the unique. Rod's Art Glass designs stained glass windows.
Peter Gruettner's main goal is to give customers exactly what they need at a fair price. And though they aren't exactly open for business just yet, it hasn't stopped some people.
Window panes and glass shower doors line the front showroom of Peter and Astrid Gruettner's newly owned Lodi Glass shop on Lodi Avenue. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
"Even with the closed sign in the window, people are still coming in," Peter Gruettner said, adding that, just because they are closed, they aren't turning customers away. (As he said this, a couple came in with a request.)
Quality Glass Company carries brands such as Millgard, Mercer and CertainTeed, and Peter Gruettner will work with other businesses to make sure the customers get what they want.
"We work with other glass companies to survive," Peter Gruettner said, though he also vows to serve Lodi and be competitive. It's part of a philosophy that he has adopted and carried with him throughout his life.
"No matter which place in the world you go, you need to work to survive. If you sit back, the chicken isn't going to come and jump in your mouth," Peter Gruettner said, smiling.
As they develop their Lodi business base, the Gruettners have no plans for slowing down. They plan to grow both Lodi and Stockton businesses and expand as much as possible.
"When you've got what you've got, you have to keep going," Astrid Gruettner said.
Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.
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