About | The Yardstick | Window Coverings in San Jose, CA

About Us – The Yardstick’s History & Roots

Yardstick window treatment store san jose

Ruth and Bernard Alter, with their three children moved to San Jose from Chicago in 1957. San Jose only had a population of around 50,000 and the Santa Clara County was still primarily orchards. The 1960’s were a time of great growth and The Yardstick was started as a fabric store for all the home sewers. This was before Walmart, Before Ross and other stores of that ilk. It was still less expensive for women to sew their clothes than to buy in stores.

The yardstick san jose

As the town grew and houses were being built, it became apparent that there was a need for custom draperies to cover all the windows. The Yardstick added custom draperies sometime in the early 1960’s and the rest is history. Our landmark store in Campbell serviced the needs of Santa Clara County as the area matured.

Jack Alter, their youngest son, worked in the business as a kid and went in with his parents in 1979 after completing college. They worked together until Mr. Alter senior passed in 1996.

As people’s shopping patterns changed, The Yardstick slowly ended the fabric store part of their business and went 100% into custom draperies, re-upholstery, and blinds.

Jack has been running the store and prides himself on his knowledge of the business and his ability to provide the modern customer with the services that his customers’ need. Today, The Yardstick has expanded to interior window shutters, motorized window shades, cellular shades, commercial window shades, and more.

Now, Jack and The Yardstick family are proud to announce our brand-new showroom and gallery in Campbell, CA! We’ve been working tirelessly to bring our new showroom to life and we can’t wait to show it off. Come visit us from Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

campbell storefront
huter douglas gallery
the yardstick interior
the yardstick hunter-douglas display
the yardstick window treatments displays

Jack Alter, Owner

With our new showroom, Jack continues the mission he took over from his father in 1979 – to bring the design dreams of Northern California residents and homeowners to life.

“The Yardstick values quality, experience, and knowledge. Over the years we have seen and done it all, innovating with product technology along the way. At the Yardstick, we believe in treating our customers very well. With us, you get a partner in your window treatments, automation, and shading needs that will be there every step of the way.”

We are also proud to announce that we are now an official gallery dealer for Hunter Douglas!

A partnership we can’t wait to tell you about.


Thanks to our loyal customers and partners we can look forward to continuing our mission long into the future and, hopefully, into the next generation.

Our team is also able to bring The Yardstick’s entire window treatment store, and our decades of expertise, right to your door. We now offer free in-home estimates and consultations. Contact us to schedule your appointment!

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The Yardstick Showroom & Gallery

2235 S Winchester Blvd,
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 214 – 1300

Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturdays – By Appointment

 

What Our Customers are Saying

  Motorized shades are far more complex to install than I realized in 2013 when my system of 29 recessed somfy – powered shades was inadequately installed by another company (National Blinds of SF).

THANK HEAVENS FOR THE YARDSTICK — they are saving my system !
They know the best way to install motorized shades so that repairs are easiest and last expensive. In fact, they are so confident in their workmanship that if a repair is needed after the somfy warranty period, Yardstick will charge only for replacement parts, and not labor. I wish I had found the Yardstick 10 years ago. Now, however, with their help, I am prepared for motor failures (2 so far) down the road as the NB system ages. Moreover Yardstick prices are very fair (I checked around the bay area), and their know-how is excellent.

thumb lenore h.
12/19/2023

Our full service area includes San Francisco & the following counties / cities in the greater Bay Area:

Santa Clara County
San Jose
Santa Clara
Milpitas
Sunnyvale
Palo Alto

Monterey County
Pebble Beach
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel Valley
Seaside
Monterey

Alameda County
Oakland
Hayward
Berkeley
Fremont
Alameda

San Mateo County
Daly City
San Mateo
Redwood City
South San Francisco
Menlo Park

Contra Costa
Concord
Antioch
Richmond
San Ramon
Walnut Creek

Marin County
Marin
San Rafael
Novato
Mill Valley
Belvedere
Tiburon

Just outside our service area or don’t see your city listed? Don’t worry! Contact us and we’ll see if we can accommodate you.
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