1952

Mary Engelbreit is born, June 5.

1985

Mary Engelbreit starts her own card company by hiring a local printer and distributing cards from her St. Louis home.

The cards become so popular, she signs a license agreement with a publisher to manufacture and distribute her designs.

1986

Mary's licensing program expands to include additional products, such as calendars, frames, T-shirts, mugs, etc.

Mary Engelbreit kiosk store at St. Louis Union Station opens.
(now closed)

1988

ME retail shop in Webster Groves, Mo. (St. Louis) opens.
(now closed)

1990

Saint Louis Galleria store opens.

ME moves company headquarters to renovated firehouse in Webster Groves, Mo. (St. Louis)

1993

"The Snow Queen," illustrated by Mary Engelbreit and written by Hans Christian Andersen, is a Publishers Weekly Children's Best-seller

1994

Atlanta store opens. (North Point Mall) (now closed)

ME moves company headquarters to renovated Greek Orthodox church in University City, Mo. (St. Louis)

1995

Greg Hoffmann, long-time family friend and legal counsel, is named CEO.

Denver store opens. (Cherry Creek Mall) (now closed)

Chicago store opens. (Woodfield Shopping Center) (now closed)

Dallas store opens. (Dallas Galleria) (now closed)

1996

ME launches Mary Engelbreit's HOME COMPANION magazine. (Circulation 600,000, readership 2 million as of May 2003)

"Mary Engelbreit: The Art and the Artist" is published.

1997

Mary Engelbreit's HOME COMPANION magazine is named a top 25 launch out of more than 900 new magazines introduced in 1996.

Phil Delano (Mary's husband) retires as director of licensing and remains chairman of the board.

ME launches syndicated newspaper column, At Home With Mary Engelbreit.

1998

Licensing program increases to more than 40 manufacturers.

St. Louis store renovated. (Saint Louis Galleria)

ME launches Mary Engelbreit's official website.

Mary Engelbreit website selected as a Yahoo! "Daily Pick of the Week."

1999

Minneapolis store opens. (Mall of America) (now closed)

Seattle store opens. (Bellevue Square Mall) (now closed)

Mary Engelbreit's HOME COMPANION magazine receives the Silver Award in the 1999 Magazine & Booksellers Newsstand Cover Competition.

2000

Washington D.C. store opens. (Tysons Corner Center) (now closed)

Calendar Marketing Association Gold Award granted to Mary Engelbreit's "Life: Put Your Heart in It! 2000 Desk Calendar"
(Best Contemporary Art – Desk out of 374 entries).

Nashville store opens. (Opry Mills) (now closed)

Newport Beach, Calif. store opens. (Fashion Island) (now closed)

Mary Engelbreit Studios launches charitable branding partnership with First Book.

Mary was honored by President Bill Clinton as the Easter Egg Roll 2000 commemorative artist.

Los Angeles, Calif. store opens. (Brea Mall) (now closed)

Mary Engelbreit named by Giftware Business magazine as the second best-selling licensed property (close second to Winnie the Pooh) for the year 2000.

2001

ME website selected as Amazon Affiliate of the Month.

LIMA (International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association) honors Mary Engelbreit with the prestigious Best Art License of the Year award.

Mary was honored with a brass star on the "Walk of Fame" sidewalk
in her hometown, St. Louis, for her achievements and contributions to culture.

Mary Engelbreit Studios signs major license agreement with HarperCollins Children's Books.

All Mary Engelbreit stores close except the flagship store in St. Louis.

2002

Mary is honored as one of the artists to create a commemorative illustration for the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Mary's first children's book, "The Night Before Christmas," with publisher HarperCollins spends 11 weeks on the New York Times children's best-seller list.

2003

LIMA honors Mary Engelbreit with the prestigious Best Art License of the Year award.

2004

Mary's illustration of The Night Before Christmas becomes her first animated home video.