Classic Accessories, a large manufacturer of retail covers and accessories, is getting more room to do business.

The longtime Kent company and developer CenterPoint Properties broke ground Aug. 30 on a 230,000-square-foot facility at 26600 72nd Ave. S., Kent.

Needing a new facility that is more than double the size of its previous location is a direct reflection on the success and growth of Classic Accessories, said company CEO Brian Bozlinski. The company, which has called Kent home for more than 16 years, has grown over the past 34 years from a small garage business to a large manufacturer of covers and accessories in many retail categories.

“Our company has been growing on average 15 percent per year and our staff count growing on average 8 percent per year,” he said. “Not only is our new building about the company and our employees, but most importantly it’s about better serving our customers.”

The new location, which runs adjacent to Highway 167, is a prime location for its warehouse needs. With more than 30 dock doors, more than 35 trailer positions and an office footprint large enough for 80-plus employees, there is plenty of room for growth, the company said.

The groundbreaking celebration included members from Poe Construction, NAI Puget Sound Properties, Craft Architects, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, CenterPoint and Classic Accessories staff.

“When a business does so well that they have to double the square footage, that’s amazing,” Cooke said.

Classic Accessories has become a part of the Kent community with quarterly outreach programs that include staff blood drives, elementary school supply drives, city park cleanups and food bank volunteering.

Bozlinski said staying in Kent was a major factor in their decision-making process.

“We’ve been here for so long; we wanted to stay within the community because it’s been so good for us,” he said. “Our new building is as much for the future growth of our employees as it is for the future growth of our company.”

In 1983, Classic Accessories was founded in a small basement in Seattle’s Roosevelt neighborhood when its founder, Jacob Engelstein, saw an opportunity to create automotive accessories like seat belt pads, steering wheel covers and fuzzy dice.

From humble beginnings, the company steadily increased its investments in design and product development. It has expanded business to cover most things – big and small – including cars, RVs, motorcycles, scooters, patio furniture, grills, boats, PWCs, snowmobiles, power equipment, generators, ATVs, side-by-sides and golf carts.

Elsewhere

Coldwell Banker Bain of Kent Station has announced that Tyler Vlasak has joined the office as a broker. Prior to launching his real estate career, Vlasak work for several years in the insurance industry. He holds a degree in arts, English and philosophy from the University of Puget Sound.