"Whitten Cases: A Story of Family Resilience, Personal Determination, and Pursuit of a Dream!"

 

In 1987, Whitten Cases was born through a blend of determination, passion, and drive, showcasing a relentless pursuit of excellence and an unwavering commitment to innovation and quality.  Dan Whitten, a dedicated furniture welder at Steelcase, spent long, strenuous hours working to provide for his family. Despite the demands of his job, he found joy in playing pool and working with leather. It was this combination that sparked the creation of his first cue case.

Dan's initial creation was for himself, but an acquaintance admired it so much that he offered to buy it. This happened a few times, and Dan began to see the possible potential. Then, the owner of his local pool hall, Ananzah Sands, asked him to make three cases to sell at the pool room. They sold quickly, confirming Dan’s suspicion that his cue cases were something special.

At the time, Dan’s wife, Ivonne, worked as a waitress at a local Chinese restaurant named First Wok. When Dan realized his handmade cue cases were in demand, he decided to turn his hobby into a business venture. By 1990, Ivonne and their 13-year-old son Joe had joined him in producing Whitten Cue Cases. The whole family pitched in, and in 1993, Dan took a leap of faith. He quit his job at Steelcase, and the family moved to Tampa, Florida, to pursue the business full-time.

In Florida, the Whitten family—Dan, Ivonne, Joe, and daughter Jillian—worked together, each playing a vital role in the growing business. But their journey wasn't without hardship. In 2009, Ivonne lost her battle with brain cancer, and just a few years later, in 2012, Dan passed away due to heart failure. Despite these devastating losses, Joe continued to uphold the family legacy to this day!  Through his dedication, Whitten Cases has become the most trusted brand in the billiard world.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the history of my family and Whitten Cases. As Joe Whitten, I am devoted to preserving and building upon the legacy my parents started many years ago. I take this responsibility very seriously and am committed to sustaining the reputation that my parents established as a husband and wife team back in 1987.