Balconi celebrates 100 years

SANDUSKY — Almost half of all businesses close after five years, but a local family run company reached a monumental milestone last week when it celebrated 100 years.Balconi Monuments & Countertops has been on Milan Road and Perkins Avenue and owned by the same family the entire time."There are so very few companies that make it to 100 years let alone under the ownership of the same family," said Marcia Ninke, a granddaughter of one of the original founders. "I can't believe it. It makes me so proud."Brothers Charles, Frank and Henry Balconi were born in Italy and immigrated to Massachusetts before they moved to Sandusky. Marcia said they had a monument business in Massachusetts as well.Frank's sons Mario and Geno Balconies joined the company in 1940. They took over management in 1959. Mario's son, John, started with the company in 1962 and his daughter, Marcia, came in 1964.John took the company over from his father and uncle while his sister worked at another family business. Marcia later became his partner and eventually bought him out.But Marcia recently passed stewardship of the family business over to her son Bret Ninke, who started working for Balconi in 1982. He works with his sons Jeremy and Collin, who are the fifth-generation to join the family business."After 100 years and five generations, to be able to continue to operate in our community has meant the world to us," Bret said. "The support we've received from the community is what has kept us going."The company has always constructed granite tombstones and monuments, but throughout the years the family has expanded to include countertops, backsplashes and more. Balconi has constructed a number of monuments for the area, including the bust of Martin L. King Jr. at Washington Park and the Gold Star Families Memorial at the Erie County Veterans Memorial Park.The family celebrated the occasion Saturday with a tent outside their business, where they had food, ice cream and plenty of memories to share.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterBalconi Monuments celebrated 100 years of business Saturday at its store on Milan Road and Perkins Avenue. The company has been operated by the same family the entire time. From left to right: Jeremy Ninke, Bret Ninke, Collin Ninke, Marcia Ninke and John Balconi.