Michael C. Fina
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail, Employee recognition |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Founder | Michael Charles Fina, Rose Rosenblatt |
| Fate | Closed brick-and-mortar operations in 2016; ceased all operations in April 2019; employee recognition division acquired by HALO Branded Solutions in 2017 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Steven Fina (President and Chief Merchant), Ashley Fina (Owner and President) |
| Products | Bridal registries, home furnishings, employee recognition awards |
| Parent | HALO Branded Solutions (for Michael C. Fina Recognition division) |
Michael C. Fina was a family-operated retailer specializing in fine goods and a global provider of employee recognition solutions, headquartered in New York City. It gained prominence for its online platform focused on bridal registries and home furnishings.
The enterprise was ultimately managed by the third generation of the Fina family. Steven Fina served as President and Chief Merchant overseeing the retail sector.[1] Ashley Fina held the roles of Owner and President, also directing Michael C. Fina Recognition, a distinct division operating under the Michael C. Fina brand.[2]
History
Established in 1935 by Michael Charles Fina and Rose Rosenblatt, Michael C. Fina began operations on the fourth floor of 580 Fifth Avenue at 47th Street in Manhattan after Rosenblatt negotiated a partnership by investing in the business. The founders later married and had two sons named George and Charles.[3]
In the 1950s, the company expanded its retail presence. As business grew beyond the original fourth-floor space at 580 Fifth Avenue, it relocated to the second floor within the same building—a location that served as its base for several decades.[4] This second-floor area featured an expanded showroom, a dedicated jewelry department, and a shipping facility. It was during this time that the phrase "Upstairs at Michael C. Fina" became associated with the brand.[5]
The company remained located at 580 Fifth Avenue until 1998 before relocating to 545 Fifth Avenue and later to 500 Park Avenue, during which time its market positioning evolved from discount-oriented to luxury-focused.[6]
Michael C. Fina was among New York City’s earliest entrants into the bridal registry sector.[7] At its height, the company registered more than 10,000 brides annually.
Closure
In 2016, facing a decline in in-store visitors, the company shut down its brick-and-mortar location and shifted its focus exclusively to e-commerce, forming partnerships with Amazon and Zola. The business ultimately discontinued all operations in April 2019.
Employee Recognition
The Finas expanded into the employee recognition sector during the 1960s, blending lifestyle gift items with classic recognition products such as tie pins and desk clocks. By 2015, they were supplying awards to numerous Fortune 1000 firms. In 2017, HALO Branded Solutions acquired the business, rebranding it as Michael C. Fina Recognition - A HALO Company.
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Rice, Tim (January 18, 2010). "How A 27-Year-Old Leads Her Family's Business". Inc.
- ↑ Lee, Esther (April 5, 2019). "Exclusive: Iconic Wedding Retailer Michael C. Fina Is Closing—Read the Statement". The Knot. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ↑ "Advertisement: Upstairs at Michael C. Fina". New York. May 7, 1984. p. 89. ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Michael C. Fina". NYC.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ↑ Gardner Jr, Ralph (July 14, 2014). "Selling the Family Silver". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ↑ "TTI-Steven Fina". Tableware Today. August–September 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2025.