Michael C. Fina

Michael C. Fina was a private family owned and operated New York City-based fine goods retailer [1] and worldwide employee recognition company [2] headquartered at 33-01 Hunters Point Ave in Long Island City. The company's online store, MichaelCFina.com was known for selling engagement rings, wedding bands, jewelry, fine tableware, vintage silver, bath and home fragrances. The company also helped popularize bridal registries. The company was last run by the third generation of the Fina family. Steven Fina was President and Chief Merchant of the retail division.[3] Ashley Fina, was Owner and President, she also led Michael C. Fina Recognition, a separate business that existed under the Michael C. Fina brand.[4]

Michael C. Fina Recognition

The Michael C. Fina employee recognition division had offices in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom and serviced more than 800 companies in more than 100 countries, supporting more than five million employees each year.[5]

History

Founded by Michael Charles Fina and Rose Rosenblatt in 1935, Michael C. Fina opened on the fourth floor of 580 Fifth Avenue at 47th Street in Manhattan when Rosenblatt negotiated a partnership in exchange for investing in the company. This business partnership was formed between the two with Michael handling the sales and marketing side of the business and detail-oriented Rose handling the finances, shipping and delivery.

Michael and Rose formed a relationship while growing the company and were married in 1941.[6] Their sons George and Charlie grew up immersed in the business and learned every facet of the trade directly from their parents.

In early years the company was a wholesaler specializing in fine silver plate and sterling silver hollowware.

During the 1950s the company expanded into the retail market. Outgrowing the original fourth floor location at 580 Fifth Avenue, the company moved down two floors in the same building to the second floor location that would become the company's home for the next several decades.[7] The second floor housed a larger showroom, a jewelry department, and a shipping department. During their years in this store, the phrase "Upstairs at Michael C. Fina" was coined, and remained a New York headline for many years.[8]

This phrase was commonly seen in publications such as The New York Times, Modern Bride and Architectural Digest. Michael C. Fina also partnered with numerous television game shows that gave away prizes in the early television era, including Beat the Clock, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Let’s Make a Deal and Treasure Hunt. A partnership with The Price Is Right has lasted since the show began in 1956.[9]

Michael C. Fina was one of the first companies in New York City to enter the bridal registry business.[10] At its peak the company registered over 10,000 brides per year.

MichaelCFina.com launched in the early days of e-commerce and was among the first retailers to offer an online wedding registry, as well as an omnichannel inventory approach. The brand further embraced the internet by extending its presence through an early partnership with The Knot.[11]

In 2016, the company closed its physical store and transformed into an online-only retailer.[11] As part of the move online, the retailer teamed with Amazon and Zola. The partnership with Amazon, as part of Amazon's Wedding Registry, will offer high-end brands, like Baccarat and Buccellati, that have not made their goods officially available on Amazon previously.[3]

Under its partnership with Zola, couples who attempted to register at MichaelCFina.com were transitioned to Zola's site, where they were able to access Michael C. Fina products. Pre-existing registries moved to Zola soon to enhance the overall wedding registry experience as the company offers more than 50 brands and over 2,000 different items from Michael C. Fina's luxury tableware catalog including Christofle, Haviland and Royal Crown Derby.[12]

MichaelCFina.com ceased operations in April 2019 [13]

Michael C. Fina also continues to sell home goods, maintaining a selection of well-known brands such as Royal Copenhagen, Raynaud, Georg Jensen, Hermes, Puiforcat and Saint-Louis Crystal.[14]

Employee Recognition

Entering the recognition business in the 1960s, the Finas incorporated lifestyle gifts alongside more traditional recognition items such as tie tacks and desk clocks.

During the late 1980s Michael C. Fina created the Magic Box to present lifestyle gifts such as televisions and barbecues in the workplace. The box, which contained a framed certificate, congratulatory letter, gift catalog, order form, and optional trinket such as a pen or watch, gave employees the experience of being presented with a gift at work, but allowed them to choose a gift that fit their lifestyle.[15][16]

This segment of the Michael C. Fina business (Michael C. Fina Recognition) currently services more than 800 companies in more than 100 countries, supporting more than five million employees globally each year.[17] Michael C. Fina built a 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2) World Headquarters and Distribution Center at 33-01 Hunters Point Avenue in Long Island City. This building houses all departments, systems and inventory for the company. Over 92% of the recognition services products ship out of this center with all gift wrapping and servicing done in-house.

While employee service awards and the Magic Box are still the cornerstone of Michael C. Fina's employee recognition business, the focus of the industry is shifting towards multi-initiative performance management, and the company is offering new products and services to accommodate its customers’ changing needs such as GiftNET, an online gift catalog.[16]

In 2009, Ashley Fina was named president of Michael C. Fina, and in 2010 the company became certified as a Women's Business Enterprise by the Women Presidents' Educational Organization, a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).[18]

Throughout the 2000s Michael C. Fina Recognition built a strong national and international client base for its multi-initiative performance management recognition solutions. In 2017, it was acquired by HALO Branded Solutions, a global promotional products leader based in Sterling, Illinois, adding some 800 employees and a 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2) state-of-the-art distribution and processing center. Today the employee recognition arm is officially known as Michael C. Fina Recognition - A HALO Company.[19]

Michael C. Fina Products

Beginning in the 1980s the Finas oversaw the production of Michael C. Fina brand products. Prior to the official creation of Michael C. Fina products, the company had a partnership with manufacturer Kent Silversmiths dating back to 1947 to create custom pieces.

Michael C. Fina created the china aboard the USS New York, the ship crafted from steel salvaged from the World Trade Center.[20]

Notable Shoppers

Michael C. Fina customers have included Frank Sinatra, Lennox Lewis, the Saudi royal family, President George H.W. Bush and Anna Wintour. Chelsea Clinton also registered there.[21][3]

gollark: I feel like this is too demonic and should immediately stop.
gollark: That is definitely\* highly\*\* accurate and realistic.
gollark: How American-centric.
gollark: (which may become an issue in the future if/when AI/artificial sapient life of whatever sort/human mental modification/etc become things, but isn't now)
gollark: The issue with doing it for interweb currencies is that you can't really define an individual person very well.

References
  1. http://74.54.115.114/node/884#jewels%5B%5D
  2. "Michael C. Fina Continues to Advance its Leadership Position in Global Employee Recognition Services". HRO Today (Press release). Michael C. Fina. January 3, 2006. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  3. Tabuchi, Hiroko; Wingfield, Nick (April 4, 2016). "Michael C. Fina, Park Avenue Wedding Retailer, Bets on Amazon.com". The New York Times. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  4. Rice, Tim (January 18, 2010). "How A 27-Year-Old Leads Her Family's Business". Inc.
  5. http://www.hrmreport.com/article/Company-profile-Michael-C-Fina/
  6. "Michael C. Fina: The History". Pintrest. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  7. "Advertisement: Upstairs at Michael C. Fina". New York. May 7, 1984. p. 89. ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  8. "Michael C. Fina". NYC.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-04. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  9. "Everybody Hates Chris - Everybody Hates Playboy - Saturday, May 08, 2010". Livedash. Archived from the original on 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  10. http://www.tablewaretoday.com/Fina-C.htm%5B%5D
  11. "The Knot & Michael C. Fina Announce Engaging Partnership; Leading Wedding Website Names Michael C. Fina Premier Tabletop Provider to The Knot Gift Store & Registry" (Press release). The Knot Inc. & Michael C. Fina. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  12. "Michael C. Fina Moves from 'Upstairs at Michael C. Fina' to 'Online at MichaelCFina.com' as Retailer Goes Online Only". Yahoo! Finance (Press release). Michael C. Fina. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-05-12.
  13. Bates, Rob (April 10, 2019). "Michael C. Fina Shuts Website, Ending Company". JCK.com. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. "Michael C. Fina | Luxury Bridal Jewelry & Registry Retailer". michaelcfina.com. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  15. "HRE Story". Human Resource Executive. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  16. "Health, Well-Being Come First -- Effective Safety Incentive Programs Can Help Cut Spending". Premium Incentive Products. September–October 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  17. "Michael C. Fina: Company Profile". hrmreport.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  18. "Michael C. Fina Receives Women-Owned Business Certification From Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)" (Press release). Michael C. Fina. April 12, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2019 – via PRNewswire.
  19. "HALO Acquires Michael C. Fina Recognition - Companies Join Forces to Extend Reach of Market Leading Employee Recognition and Incentive Services Solutions" (Press release). Halo Branded Solutions. February 7, 2017.
  20. "Michael C. Fina to Create Custom China for USS NEW YORK". Gifts & Decorative Accessories. November 3, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  21. Gardner Jr., Ralph (July 14, 2014). "Selling the Family Silver". The Wall Street Journal.
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