Paper Mart Through The Ages

Our journey began in a humble garage behind our rural Los Angeles home. Initially known as California Towel Supply, our family business thrived with G.A. Frick as the dedicated salesman and deliveryman, and Emma Frick managing bookkeeping and washing. With the onset of the Great Depression, we relocated to downtown Los Angeles. Our employees served the restaurant and hospitality industries, and we adopted a conservative approach; reinvesting profits into the business. Though the times were challenging, our unwavering commitment propelled us forward.

During World War II, we faced labor shortages as everyone rallied for the war effort. Retaining employees became challenging, but second-generation son Robert Frick stepped up, dividing his time between defense work and managing the company. With the war's end, Robert, the second-generation son, took charge and rebranded us as Frick Paper Co. We shifted our focus to consumables like paper towels, tissue, janitorial, and shipping supplies. Acquiring Claremont Chemical Company further expanded our capabilities, allowing us to manufacture our own cleaning products and offer comprehensive solutions to our customers.

Expanding as Frick Paper Co., we ventured into the City of Commerce and acquired Airex Paper Co., enabling us to manufacture our own paper towels and tissue. Under third-generation son John Frick's leadership, we rebranded as Paper Mart and revolutionized our sales strategy with a regional discount mail-order catalog approach. As pioneers in direct-mail distribution for the packaging industry, we embraced real-time computer systems, enhancing efficiency and customer service. Our inaugural direct-mail catalog coincided with the rise of this powerful marketing channel.

With the arrival of Tom Frick, another third-generation son, we made a decisive shift in our focus. As a result, we channeled all of our energy into specializing in packaging supplies. Tom’s involvement brought a fresh perspective, inspiring our team with a renewed drive to elevate our expertise in this industry.

Tom Frick and John Frick joined forces, becoming partners in running the company. Their collaboration proved instrumental in recognizing the untapped potential of the Internet. With foresight and innovation, Paper Mart emerged as a trailblazer, harnessing the power of the online platform to directly connect with customers. As pioneers of Internet shopping, we proudly pioneered the concept of showcasing product images online; revolutionizing the way customers could explore and purchase our offerings.

With a winning combination of exceptional service and unbeatable prices, Paper Mart expanded into a new warehouse, solidifying its position as the largest discount packaging company in the US. During this time, fourth-generation daughter Buffy Frick Simoni, helped usher in a new dynamic, full-service approach for Paper Mart. This dedication to customer satisfaction was acknowledged with the prestigious Stevie® Award for Sales & Customer Service in the eCommerce category, recognizing our accessibility through various channels.

In a remarkable achievement, Paper Mart was featured on the renowned television series, "World's Greatest…!", showcasing our unwavering dedication to exceptional customer service and our progressive commitment to environmentally-friendly practices. As we proudly celebrated our 100-year anniversary in 2021, we reflected on our rich history and legacy built on delivering quality products at competitive prices. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has been pivotal in our success; and as we step into the future, we eagerly embrace new opportunities.