[5] The 1,700-square-foot (160 m2) space in part of an old elevator factory[6] was located at 1516 North Wells Street in the then-bohemian Old Town neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

Surprised to see that European manufacturers offered many beautiful and durable products at reasonable prices, they were inspired to start their own store in the United States.

They traveled throughout Europe buying directly from glassblowers, ceramicists and factories making French copper pots and simple white bistro dinnerware.

The Segals sought out small European companies that were not represented in America and negotiated direct purchases from these factories that could be sold to the consumer while avoiding a wholesaler's markup.

To this day, a majority of Crate & Barrel's products are direct imports from Europe, though Thai, Mexican and Indian glass and textiles can also be found in their stores.

[5] Crate & Barrel's flagship store, located in Chicago on Michigan Avenue in the "Magnificent Mile", closed in January 2018.

It also acquired Hudson Grace, a boutique home décor, entertaining and gift brand based in San Francisco.

Crate and Barrel plans to grow the Hudson Grace brand through retail expansion into niche markets and an invigorated online presence to engage new and existing customers across channels.

[18] Crate & Barrel Holdings has 22 stores in Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates.

[19][20] In September 2008, Crate & Barrel opened its first location outside the United States, at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

[23][24] In the fall of 2009, the company reported plans to open two stores in Dubai in 2010 via a franchise agreement with Al Tayer Group.

[39] Crate & Barrel's kids brand, The Land of Nod, acquired in 2001, closed all stores by the end of Spring 2018.

[40][41] In 2019, Crate & Barrel announced its acquisition of Hudson Grace, a boutique home décor, entertaining and gift brand based in San Francisco and in 10 stores.