History of Flanner's
The Flanner's Story Begins
After spending several summers vacationing at the Moor Baths in Waukesha, Joseph Flanner decides to move his family to Milwaukee from New Orleans and opens Flanner’s Music. The first store, located at 427 N. Milwaukee Street, sold pianos, instruments, and published sheet music.
Flanner's Needs More Space
Within a year of opening, Flanner’s outgrew its space. Flanner’s Music became Flanner’s Music Warerooms, and moved to new, larger location in the famous Merrill Building, located downtown on Grand Avenue.
Still Growing, Flanner's Moves Again
Needing even more space, Flanner's moved again, this time to 721 N. Broadway, where it stayed for over 30 years.
Flanner & Hafsoos is Born
Florian Flanner, Joseph’s son, partnered with another Milwaukee music retailer, Eric Hafsoos, to create Flanner & Hafsoos, Milwaukee’s premier music shop. On a sad note, this is also the year Joseph Flanner passed away.
Flanner & Hafsoos Steers Toward the Electric Age
The store was the first Wisconsin distributor of the original Edison gramophone.
Stuart and Joeseph Flanner Join the Business
Florian's two sons, Joseph and Stuart, join the Flanner's team as 3rd generation partners.
Flanner & Hafsoos Sell First Amplifier Made by Avery Fischer
Joseph began selling the first amplifier Avery Fischer created. Avery went on to become one of the best known manufacturers in the world of high quality sound reproduction. Joeseph and Avery formed a close friendship that lasted 24 years.
Flanner & Hafsoos Moves to Mayfair Mall
Joseph & Stuart Flanner, along with Roy Hafsoos move Flanner & Hafsoos from downtown and become an original tenant in a new open-air mall in Wauwatosa called Mayfair Mall. The store evolves from selling console radios and record players in the 60’s to the latest in stereos and TVs in the 90’s
John Flanner Joins the Business
Current Owner/President John Flanner begins working at Flanner & Hafsoos as an Assistant Buyer after graduating from the University of Wisconsin.
We Say Goodbye to Hafsoos
The partnership with the Hafsoos family officially ends, when Roy Hafsoos retires from the company. The name is kept unchanged, however, and our stay at Mayfair will last another 18 years.
John Flanner Becomes President of Flanner's
Upon his father’s retirement, John Flanner assumes the role of President for Flanner & Hafsoos. John remains at the helm today, a 4th generation owner who continues the tradition of providing Milwaukee area families quality home entertainment.
Flanner's Expands in Size and Products
With the growing popularity of large screen TVs, and the concept of “home theater,” Flanner & Hafsoos moves from Mayfair mall to a much larger 18,000 square foot location on Bluemound Road in Brookfield. We expand our product lines, enhance the way we display our products, and officially change our name to Flanner’s Audio & Video.
A Whole New Flanner's is Born
Again Flanner’s outgrows its space, and in November of 2005 a new 27,500+ square-foot showcase store is opened just 12 blocks east of our old store. The new store is unlike any other in the area, showcasing home electronics in a way only Flanner's could. We also take this opportunity to update or identity - Flanner's Home Entertainment, our "Play Button" logo, and "Just Press Play" tagline were created.