History of Kurt Saphir Pianos

Kurt Saphir Pianos has been welcoming customers to their Wilmette showroom for the past 30 years. In 1997, Dennis Saphir succeded his father Kurt, as company president. His son Dan now represents the seventh generation of piano technicians working in the family business.
The Saphir piano business began in the early 1800’s in Vienna, Austria.
Kurt Saphir and his wife Gizel, immigrated to the U.S. during World War II and would open the company’s first store on the south side of Chicago.

With Kurt working the service department in the field, his wife Gizel handled the sales department which originally consisted of little more than old uprights that Kurt reconditioned during his “off hours”. As the small company became more successful, Kurt Saphir Pianos eventually opened five stores in the Chicago area.

Today, Kurt Saphir Pianos is a highly specialized company. To meet the demands of a changing market Kurt Saphir Pianos began paring down their locations one by one, and refined their business model  to work with smaller manufacturers and a more exclusive customer base.

The Wilmette showroom’s first floor spotlights their product lines in an elegant setting of chandeliers and mirrors. The second floor offers the opportunity for beginners and musicians  to “test” some of these lines in a more private setting. Previously owned pianos may also be inspected on this floor.