Historically Speaking . . . While Looking Forward;

~ Allan M. Barbe Sr., started with the Fitzsimmons Piano and Organ Co. Inc. the 10th of January, the year 1967 at 10 years of age.  His original job duties were to tune in store stock merchandise, salvage usable parts from junked pianos in addition to maintenance duties around the retail store itself.  During the next 24 years Mr. Barbe traveled extensively with his parents, who purchased the Fitzsimmons Co. from it’s founder Ray and Marion Fitzsimmons in 1971, around the world and the United States, visiting, consulting and working with primarily piano manufactures.

~ The founders had purchased the business in 1946 from the Wurlitzer Piano & Organ Company and Allan's father, S. Monroe Barbe started with the company in 1952.  The original store was located on the second floor of the Wurlitzer Building on South Ludlow St. in Dayton, Ohio.  In 1950 the founders moved the business to 15 East Second St., in downtown Dayton, where it resided until Monroe and Lucille, his wife, purchase the company in 1971, built new facilities and moved the business to its new location at the intersection of I-75 and I-70 in 1979.

The purpose of this move was to better serve the companies patrons which, covered 23 counties in the state of Ohio and 5 counties in Indiana.  This included over 2500 schools, churches and countless private instrument owners.  All the while maintaining two retail operations in the Salem Mall which were later closed in 1986 due to the economic times of the day.  Allan was a major part of the plans and development of the expansions and consolidations of the companies activities during these transitions.  This included all transactions dealing with his parents final decision to retire and cease operations of the business in 1991.  In addition to, the selling of franchises, relocation of employees to other retailers in the area, liquidation of company assets and the financial restructuring of the families estate which he still oversees.

 ~ During Allan's 24 year history with the Fitzsimmons Piano & Organ Co., he was afforded technical training with just about every piano and organ manufacture available to him.  These included but not limited to; Steinway, Baldwin, Sohmer, Kimball, Wurlitzer, Chickering, Mason & Hamlin, Wm. Knabe, Aeolian, Yamaha, Kawia, and Young Chang etc.  Allan has received several Certificates of Successful Completions and Appreciation from same.

~ During Allan's tenure he worked in the companies in house piano rebuilding shop of which he became one of its Master Craftsman.  This responsibility extended to conducting the VA sponsored Apprenticeship Programs, for the training of Veterans under the G.I. Bill, in the process of reconditioning, rebuilding, servicing and the maintenance of thousands of musical instruments throughout the "Miami Valley" in the states of Ohio and Indiana.  Allan also worked his way through the ranks of the company itself, from Salesperson, Sales-Manager, Assistant General Manager to the companies General Manager.

~ Community wide respect was gained by Mr. Barbe through his works professionally and privately with local Universities, Colleges, Secondary and Primary institutions of learning.  Not to mention non-profit organizations like the Dayton/Springfield Memorial Halls and their associates, Kiwanis, Optimist, Masons, Girl and Boy Scout Clubs of America, The American Red Cross and assorted amateur radio clubs, leagues, organizations and foundations that have benefited greatly from their networking with Mr. Barbe directly and circuitously.

~ Due to (Devic's Syndrome), currently a unrecoverable painful physical condition, has made him unable to do the heavy lifting required to work on pianos and after 34 years in the piano business, Mr. Barbe decided to retire from the piano service industry in 2001, while still maintaining his consulting work within the communities of interests he chooses to serve.  As with all entrepreneurs, it wasn’t long until Mr. Barbe capitalized on his years of experiences in the music business in several ways.  His new ventures consisted of three business which were; Al’s D.J. Service (1991 ~ 2001); those still functioning today are; Al’s Business Consultants (1981 ~ to date) and Case King (2002 ~ to date).

~ Al’s Business Consultants is a "referral only" based business offering those chosen by Mr. Barbe a full service business plan and development experience.  Patrons participate directly with Mr. Barbe in the formation, development and presentation of their business plan.  Whether its a commercial, organizational, civil, private, for profit or non-profit consumers, hundreds have benefited from their experiences with Al’s Business Consultants for their own purposes and others throughout the United States and internationally.  On a limited bases, Mr. Barbe still gives public presentations on; "Assertive Management and Other Communication Skills".

~ Case King was started in 2002 due to Mr. Barbe's need for cases for the portable amateur radio antennas he used for public and disaster services.  As a first responder transporting equipment needed for communications was not easily obtained.  Realizing a niche in the case marketplace, Mr. Barbe joined forces with Wendy Dow and Case King was born.  On October the 22nd, 2003 Wendy (call sign KC8KQG) and Allan (call sign KB8DLS) were married.  That same month they expanded Case King offerings with the introduction of  www.caseking.com to the internet that is still serving the retail/wholesale/industrial marketplaces by fulfilling their case and accessories needs.

~ With their "Shipment Ordinations" located in Dayton, Ohio 45424, Telford, PA 18969 and La Verna, CA 91750, Case King is able to offer the most cost effective shipping fees in the business, hence their "Price Guarantee" and "U.S. Transit Times" not to mention their cost effective international shipping services.  These qualities has allowed Case King to offer exceptional service to P.O. Boxes, APO and FPO adressed customers world wide for the products they represent and custom build.  Case King is a authorized dealer/distributor for all the items contained within their web-site.  This distension allows Case King to offers its wares to the general public and resellers with no minimum purchase requirements ~ assorted terms ~ warranty fulfillment and drop-shippment services including but not limited to PC, PCS and Case Lots quantity etc..

 ~ From the conception of the business through today; the Barbe's conduct appoximately 44 to 46 pubic showings of their wares throughout the United States.  Focusing primarily on the midwest to east coast of the United States, they particapate in gun, knife, sporting, outfitter, and other assorted public shows.  Their "show dates" are maintained on the web-site along with their "contact us" information for easy access and review.  Many of their public, private and commercial patrons synchronize their purchases with the Case King public showings, in advance, so the Barbe's can save those patrons the shipping cost normally exspended on such web-site and or direct purchases.  If you havn't had the opportunity to visit one of their public showings and where wondering what it mite look like, here are a couple configurations of Case King at work for your review.

  ~ After graduating Kent State University in 1988 and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in 1989; Wendy started working for CompuNet Clinical Laboratories in Moraine, Ohio to date as a Medical Technologist.  For over 10 years she served as a Bible Quiz Coach and Quiz Master both at her local church and on the district level of competition for the Youth Ministries at Grace Community Church, Huber Heights, Ohio.  In addition Wendy enjoys being a Victoria Theater Association volunteer as well as an amateur radio operator time permitting.

~ Wendy met Allan through amateur radio while attending public service events and at assorted amateur radio club meetings.  After a reasonable courtship;

the two were married in Las Vegas, Nevada while participating in the local gun and knife show that weekend; as discussed ~ "Why not? Were in Las Vegas! …"  They have been married ever since with their only child "Thumper", a 20 pound Shetland Sheep Dog (miniature collie).

~ Soon after meeting Wendy, Allan found that she has a natural sales ability that she developed over the years but, primarily when she became a Pampered Chef Consultant.  As a consultant she conducted in home parties where she demonstrated the benefits of the Pampered Chef line of products.  While conducting these in home parties, Wendy sold items of interest to the participants and developed associations with some individuals who later themselves became consultants for Pampered Chef.  This was a match made in heaven the business and personal pairing of Allan and Wendy.  Rarely does one find the best of both worlds; a bottom line with heart and soul.

~ Considering the current days and times we live in, all of us here at Case King and the Barbe family still have a roof over our heads ~ clothes on our backs ~ food in our mouths ~ and enough faith in our efforts; want to thank those of you who have stopped and taken time to read our "About Us" page and are patrons of Case King.  It is our hope that you will take the additional time now to review the great valued items presented here at caseking.com that are supported by our "Price Guarantee".  Again; Thank You …