Rebuilding 'Unfortunately Not Feasible', New Lenox's Tri-Star Cabinets To Close, Owner Says

NEW LENOX, IL — A year after a massive fire engulfed a decades-old business in New Lenox, its owner has decided to shutter the company permanently.

Tri-Star Cabinet And Top Co. at Cedar Road and Illinois Highway in New Lenox was destroyed in a three-alarm blaze on Oct. 17, 2024—and the Wilda family has been mulling next steps since. The site has been leveled in recent days, leaving many curious about its future.

Facing extensive costs and complications to rebuild its facilities, Tri-Star instead will close, Joe Wilda Jr. told Patch Thursday. Tri-Star is a second-generation business owned and operated by the Wilda family.

"After 59 years of business in New Lenox, Illinois, our family has made the difficult decision to close Tri-Star Cabinet Company," the statement reads.

"On October 17 of last year, we suffered a devastating fire that resulted in a total loss of our facility. After careful consideration, we determined that due to the scale and complexity of our operation, rebuilding was unfortunately not feasible. This decision was incredibly hard to make, but it was necessary given the circumstances."

Previous coverage:

• Tri-Star Cabinets Fire: Blaze Burned For Hours, Destroyed Warehouse
• 'Heartbreaking': Photos Show Fire's Destruction Of Tri-Star Cabinets

Videos and photos from that October day showed flames consume the building, with a thick, heavy cloud of black smoke billowing and visible for some distance. At its peak, 200 firefighters from 22 departments fought the blaze that consumed the 85,000-sq. ft. facility. At the time of the fire, 75 employees were present and all were evacuated safely.

"We're grateful we didn’t lose any of our people," the Wilda family said.

Wilda said the family did not easily arrive at the decision to close.

"It’s a very hard thing to have to decide," Kathy Wilda said. "It’s been the family business, so where do you go day-by-day? It has not been an easy year."

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann on Thursday acknowledged the family's contributions to the community.

"Tri-Star has been a staple in this community for decades," Baldermann said. "The Wilda family represent everything that is good about New Lenox. I’m grateful for their years of contribution and wish them the very best."

Many of the business' employees have found jobs at Riverton Cabinet Company, also based in New Lenox.

"We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the New Lenox community for nearly six decades of support, trust, and partnership," the company's statement reads. "We also want to sincerely thank our dedicated employees for their unwavering loyalty and strength throughout such a challenging and uncertain time. To us, everyone we’ve worked alongside has always been family.

"As this chapter closes, we’re proud to share that many of our skilled craftsmen, talented sales designers, and trusted office personnel have found a new home at Riverton Cabinet Company, also based in New Lenox. This transition has allowed our dedicated team to continue their craft and carry forward the same dedication and values that defined Tristar for so many years.

"Thank you again to everyone who has been part of the Tristar story — our customers, employees, and community. It has been an honor to serve you for 59 years."

— The Tri-Star Cabinet Company Family

"It would be difficult to see this happen to any family, but when it happens to a family like theirs, that has given so much to the community over the last 60 years, it’s beyond heartbreaking," Baldermann said previously. "Big, big loss."