ABOUT MOUNTAIN FLAME — Mountain Flame

FIRE IS OUR BUSINESS

In 1978, Brian and Marcia Olenych packed their belongings into the back of a 1963 pickup and moved from Newark, NY to the Catskill Mountains. Brian had recently graduated from SUNY Delhi, and they’d both fallen in love with Delaware County and wanted to call the Catskills home. Soon after moving, Brian became a chimney sweep and they set about building a business.

The long, cold Catskill winters practically guaranteed steady growth for their business. But it was a customer’s idea that sparked the flame that still ignites them to this day. The customer mentioned an environmentally friendly radiant heating fireplace made of brick. Brian immediately began building one in their home, and the rest is history. Mountain Flame was founded in 1980, the only such company in the Catskills specializing in radiant wood-fired masonry heaters.

Mountain flame, 2019.

Mountain flame, 1984.

In 1986, Brian and Marcia travelled to Finland to meet the Tulikivi family, suppliers of clean-burning, energy-efficient, naturally beautiful soapstone fireplaces. After their trip, Mountain Flame became an exclusive Tulikivi dealer, one of the first in North America.

Their foresighted optimism for the “miracle stone” soon paid off, as they found many customers in the market for environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing heat sources. In 2003, Mountain Flame expanded with a new 2000 sq. ft. custom showroom in Arkville, New York. Over the years, Brian and Marcia’s expert knowledge and guidance have kept home fires burning across the Catskills. Contact for more info or come see for yourself!

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