Thank You


Thank you to all of our dedicated customers that have been with us throughout the years. We greatly appreciate your business and extend our deepest gratitude for allowing us to serve you since 1937. Although we will not continue serving you under the name Chicago Builders Supply any longer, we assure you that we will continue to provide service with the same amount of dedication at ABsupply.net (Architectural Builders Supply).



About us...

ABsupply.net was created by Chicago Builders Supply founder Stanley N. Howard's great-grandson, Rich Howard in 2001 as a bricks and mortar store. Rich eventually expanded to the online market, with ABSupply.net’s first sale occurring in January 2005. From the company’s inception, the goal has been to provide every client, from home owners to contractors, with attentive customer service, competitive prices, and quality products.

Architectural Builders Supply is a national distributor of steel metal door frames; commercial metal doors; architectural flush and panel wood doors; residential flush, panel, french doors; wood frames and prehungs; and commercial door hardware, including pivots, door components, exit devices, locks, commercial washroom accessories, door closers, electric strikes, custom millwork, safes, key machines, fire extinguishers, sliding door hardware, weatherstripping and many additional products.

Our typical clients include hospitals, military, government, general contractors, sub contractors, handyman businesses, home owners, locksmiths, glass and glazing contractors, cabinet shops and many others.


Contact us at: 773-283-8210 or Email us at: sales@chicagobuilderssupply.net

History of Chicago Builders Supply


Stanley N. Howard Sr. Founder circa 1925
First Chicago Builders location at approx 6864 W. North Ave. Chicago circa 1937
Chicago Builders Supply check dated 1937 to P.F Corbin
Second Chicago Builders location at 7214 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago. Jane (McDonald) Howard, mother of Stanley N. Howard (founder), and Genevieve Howard circa 1939
Ground braking for Chicago Builders Supply location. George B. Shaw and Stanley N. Howard circa 1940
Exterior at Chicago Builders at 3701 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago circa 1955
Exterior of Chicago Builders at 3701 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago circa 1955
Stanley Howard Jr. (standing) and Bill Mancuso in office at Chicago Builders at 3701 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago circa 1955
Nail warehouse at Chicago Builders at 3701 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago circa 1955
Stanley N. Howard Sr. on safari in Africa circa 1955
Victor Sorby - father of Betty Howard, mother of Terry Howard, father of Richard Howard - circa 1965
Founder Stanley N. Howard and Genevieve T. Howard circa 1968
Founder Stanley N. Howard Sr. and Genevieve T. Howard on 50'th wedding anniversary circa 1972.
Exterior entrance door to Chicago Builders Supply circa 1980
Chicago Builders supply (later known as Century Door) in Elk Grove Village Illinois, circa 1985
Terry Howard at desk in Chicago Builders Supply circa 1985
Daniel Drazkowski & Terry Howard in lock shop at Chicago Builders at 3701 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago circa 1986
Sign at Chicago Builders Supply location at 6103 W. Montrose Ave circa 1993
Chicago Builders team left to right circa 1993 (Anna Howard, Richard Howard, Kurt Larson, Terry Howard, Daniel Drazkowski)
Employess of Chicago Builders Supply From left to right circa 1994 ( Karen, John Trout, Kurt Larson, Daniel Drazkowski, unknown, Terry Howard, Richard Howard, Brett)
Door storage at Chicago Builders Supply at 6103 W. Montrose Ave. Chicago circa 1997



The following is the Chicago Tribune obituary for Chicago Builders founder Stanley N. Howard

"Stanley N. Howard Sr.
February 04, 1988
Services for Stanley N. Howard Sr., 89, founder and retired president of Chicago Builders Supply Co. Inc., will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the chapel at 6938 W. North Ave. Mr. Howard, of the Northwest Side, died Sunday in Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The firm, at 3701 N. Harlem Ave., is a provider of general supplies to builders. It was founded by Mr. Howard in 1937, and it is still family-owned and -operated. Mr. Howard was a founder and member of the Northwest Builders Association. A native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, he had served with the Canadian army in Europe during World War I. Survivors include his wife, Genevieve; two sons, Hubert C. and Stanley N. Jr.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren."





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