Kaufer’s 118-year legacy continues under new ownership

Kaufer’s retail store on W. Boone Ave in Spokane, on Sept. 13, 2022. (Photo/Grant Whitty, Inland Catholic)

In 1904, P.A. Kaufer opened the doors of the first Kaufer’s retail store on Third Street in Seattle. That began a tradition of over 118 years of supplying the Catholic community in the Northwest with quality religious books, gifts and church goods. After four generations of family business, Kaufer’s great-grandsons, Ed and Jim Sinclair sold the company to Catholic Supply of St. Louis.

Former owner of Kaufer’s in Spokane, Ed Sinclair, 69, worked for the family business for over 50 years. According to Sinclair, a few things drove the decision to seek a buyer. Sinclair mentioned that he isn’t “getting any younger” and that his wife went through some health challenges a few years ago, leading him to start thinking about the future of Kaufer’s.

“My intent was always to continue as my predecessors had three generations before me. You die with your boots on.” Sinclair said, “I couldn’t imagine a scenario where I would close it. I was determined to find someone to continue the business in some way, shape or form.”

Sinclair and his brother Jim—who owned the Seattle store—began seeking potential buyers that aligned with their values. They wanted to keep the business around for the Catholic community, maintain employees’ jobs and continue the integrity and legacy of the Kaufer brand. Eventually, a conversation began with Catholic Supply of St. Louis, who has been a wholesaler for some of the merchandise on Kaufer’s shelves for the last 14 years.

“One of the things that attracted us to Catholic Supply was not only their multi-generational history but the fact that they have many of the same values as us,” Sinclair said.

The Sinclair brothers officially sold the business to Catholic Supply of St. Louis on Aug. 15, 2022.

Since the acquisition, the president of Catholic Supply of St. Louis, Dan Stutte, 76, has taken multiple trips to Spokane to begin implementing on-location aspects of the merger. Kaufer’s now has a new website and phone system linked to operations in St. Louis.

Loyal customers of Kaufer’s can rest assured that the Kaufer name isn’t going anywhere. Stutte desires to keep the integrity of the brand as well as the integrity of the products that will be available. Due to the merger, customers will see changes in products offered at both locations.

“We want to maintain the integrity of the industry up here. Some companies are bringing a bunch of junk onto the market, and it’s just not good for our industry and the church,” Stutte said. “It’s important to keep religious goods stores on the market. So many are closing around the country.”

Catholic Supply is quite a bit larger than Kaufer’s. Stutte hopes to expand the service at Kaufer’s and move goods more efficiently with his company’s more extensive buying power.

In the coming years, Stutte plans to gradually take steps back to leave room for his children to take more initiative in the family business.

As Sinclair looks toward retirement, he commented about his confidence in the Stutte family and Catholic Supply. “In the end I think they will do a better job than I did. I did it for many years, but that doesn’t mean I am necessarily the best at it. Someone else can always do better.” Sinclair said. “I feel so grateful.”

Sinclair now serves as the church supplies specialist for the Spokane location. He works part-time and often makes deliveries to churches as far as Montana. His brother, Jim, continues working full-time for the Seattle store, shuffling between remote and on-site work.

“This isn’t just a business, you know. My dad told me long ago: ‘If you go into this business, don’t do it because you want to get rich.’ He’s right; it’s a ministry.” Ed Sinclair said. “You must have a heart for it, or you don’t stay in it.”