Business Close-Up Featuring Bellari

Gary Shiman, Co-Owner & Principal

David Gropper, Co-Owner & Principal

Bellari, originally known as Somerville Aluminum, was founded by Max Gropper in 1950. Max had a practical goal: finding the best way to provide for his family. He knew he was skilled at working with his hands, so he started offering aluminum storm window installation to area homeowners.

Max’s son Jeffrey joined the family business in 1961 and soon noticed that the dual-income household was on the rise, leaving homeowners less time for home maintenance. In response, he expanded the company’s offerings to include siding and other remodeling products, and he prioritized hiring the best installers and tradespeople.

The third generation of Gropper leadership is spearheaded by Jeffrey’s son, David who came aboard in 1992 and his son-in-law, Gary Shiman, who joined the company in 2003. The two work together closely to provide clients with exceptional service. Gary says, “Every generation has had a family member as a partner in the business. David and I knew early on that we complemented each other’s strengths. David knows the remodeling business better than anyone.” David adds, “Gary brought decades of sales expertise, experience in larger corporate environments and a welcome ‘outsider’ perspective.”

Together, the two have taken the business to new heights. They moved the company to Branchburg in May 2013. The larger showroom offers dramatically expanded displays and an enhanced customer-service experience. A name change and rebrand to Bellari in 2018 underscores the fact that the company offers more than aluminum windows and siding, and that it serves a geographic footprint larger than Somerville.

In 2025, the company celebrates its 75th anniversary, having grown and prospered through a constantly changing commercial landscape by being aware of the marketplace, acknowledging clients’ wants and needs and then meeting and exceeding them. Today, the firm offers a complete range of home improvement services, including windows, doors, siding, roofing, decking, sunrooms and awnings, as well as full kitchen and bath remodeling — even whole additions.

While providing superior products and service, Bellari has also made it a point to give back to the community. Previous generations of leadership had more of a ‘Do good by the community, but don’t talk about it’ approach, but David and Gary favor a more visible philanthropic profile. Gary explains, “It’s not about bragging, but more about ensuring the community knows we care. We’ve chosen causes that are close to our hearts, like domestic violence and hurricane relief. Both David and I feel like, ‘If you’re fortunate enough to be able to give back, give back.’”

Bellari’s mission is to provide clients with a home-improvement experience that is unmatched in the industry, at an unparallelled value. Gropper notes, “At a time when so much customer service is handled by online chats, at Bellari, you can walk in and talk to one of the owners. Nothing beats personal attention and interaction.”

The company partners with the best manufacturers in the business to bring customers high-quality products that are made in America, delivering the sort of customer experience that only a family-run business can provide. Gary says, “We put quality and service before growth. While it may have held us back at times, I think it results in a better customer experience, a better reputation, and better customer loyalty.”

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