“A fresh coat of history, anyone?” I ask, gesturing towards BARVY A LAKY HOSTIVAŘ. This isn’t just any paint shop. It’s a legacy, brushed across time. BARVY A LAKY HOSTIVAŘ, established in 1893, boasts a 130-year history. Originally known as F. J. Materna, this company has witnessed empires rise and fall, its paints coloring the changing landscape of Czech history.
The company’s founder, František Josef Materna, started small. He transformed himself from a modest salesman into a prominent industrialist, his name echoing through banking halls and the annals of the National Theatre. Materna’s touch wasn’t limited to commerce. He also made a name for himself in banking and even in connection with the National Theatre. His son, Viktor, inherited not only the business but a passion for art and collecting, leaving his own vibrant mark on BARVY A LAKY HOSTIVAŘ.
The company’s first factory, a testament to its pioneering spirit, was in Holešovice. This was the first Czech factory dedicated to lacquers, enamels, and paints. Viktor Materna oversaw the construction of a new factory in Hostivař in the 1930s. This new facility, a marvel of modern design by architect Rudolf Stockar, was a testament to the company’s growth. The individual pavilions were arranged with meticulous precision, optimizing the flow of production. Here, they produced a dazzling array of paints and lacquers, from oil-based and enamel to asphalt and even powder paints.
BARVY A LAKY HOSTIVAŘ continued to thrive, weathering political shifts and economic changes. In 2013, the company’s revenue exceeded one billion crowns, a testament to its enduring appeal. By then, the company operated an impressive network of 51 company-owned and 90 franchise stores. While the production has moved to Skrchov in Moravia, BARVY A LAKY HOSTIVAŘ’s central office resides in Horní Počernice, a testament to its adaptability and foresight. Even after 79 years in Hostivař, BARVY A LAKY HOSTIVAŘ embraced change, moving their warehouse and distribution center to Horní Počernice in a strategic move for continued growth. So, the next time you need a fresh coat of paint, remember BARVY A LAKY HOSTIVAŘ. It’s more than just paint; it’s a vibrant thread woven into the fabric of Czech history.