Showcase CEO Chris Phillips performs a major display case repair at Kay Jewelers in the Capitola Mall.

Chris Phillips Jr. began working in the glass industry in Las Vegas, Nevada more than 25 years ago. Glass (glazing) has always been the family trade in the Phillips household. Chris' father, Chris Phillips Sr. (known in the industry as "Greek") is somewhat famous in Las Vegas for his many contributions to the glass business. Chris' older brother, Greg, is also a glazier with over 30 years experience in the field. The Phillips Brothers often tried to talk Greek into opening a family glass shop, but he would have none of it! Greek felt that he made plenty of money without the headaches of being in business. His pride and joy was the "New York, New York" in Las Vegas, of which he was the Project Coordinator. He passed away in 2001.

Chris Phillips Jr. always dreamed of having his own shop. In 2004 he opened a small retail display case manufacturing company in Santa Cruz and called it "Santa Cruz Showcase." Designing and manufacturing showcases was the perfect media for Chris to apply his meticulous craftsmanship. The challenge of building a product that is looked at very close up on a daily basis appealed to him. Customers were surprised to learn that Chris was a glazier by trade rather than a cabinet maker. This led to him being asked by customers to install other glass products such as mirrors and shower doors.

Soon it became obvious that Chris was going to need to expand his operation. In order to do the work his customers were demanding he would need to become a contractor. Chris obtained his C-17 contractor license for glass and glazing and incorporated his business. "Santa Cruz Showcase" became "Santa Cruz Showcase, Inc." Chris was ready to take on any type of glass work from a basic window repair to storefronts and everything in-between. Chris continued to emphasize the detail oriented skills required in the installations of interior glass products like showcases, mirrors, shower enclosures, partitions, cabinets, etc. In 2008 Chris opened a new division of Santa Cruz Showcase, Inc. and called it "Showcase Shower Door Company."  Since then he has been doing shower enclosures and custom mirrors almost exclusively.

Showcase has made its mark on the glass industry in the San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Monterey areas. In 2005, Santa Cruz Showcase was contracted to make delicate repairs to the huge curved-glass doors that enclose the second floor of the 'Rotunda' building, the centerpiece of  the new San Jose Civic Center. These custom doors are so large that they require four men to lift. Owner Chris Phillips was on the job and was one of the four men lifting the massive curved glass units. The job went off without a hitch, and was completed in less time than expected. It's completely normal to find Chris personally doing the installation at a jobsite. It's one of the many things that sets our company apart from the rest.

   Work is done by appointment