Klingspor Charlotte Closed - Page 2

Klingspor Charlotte Closed · 07-14-2009, 02:05 PM

Heard this today...

Sad news...the economy strikes again...

As of this morning, the Klingspor store in Charlotte is officially closed. The doors are locked, the windows are papered over, and the sign is on the door. All stock, including lumber, will be moved to the Hickory store. Klingspor will continue to mail us catalogs and assist us with orders, but there is no more Klingspor in Charlotte.

It's been a while coming from what I could tell, but still hate to see it. The Charlotte store just couldn't get it together, especially after Rockler was kicked out. It's very sad and I hope they don't count Charlotte out for a future store.

UPDATE: Got this in my email too:

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toolferone · 07-14-2009, 08:05 PM

I also am sad to hear about the store closing. The Charlotte Klingspor holds a very special place for me as it was my start into the retail woodworking world. I am sure this was a very hard but necessary decision to make, and wish Coleman and the rest of the company good thoughts for continued success in these hard times.

TracyP · 07-14-2009, 09:55 PM

PeteQuad · 07-14-2009, 10:45 PM

Very sad. I too hate to see the store close, but agree it was not hard to foresee. I love Klingspor, but that particular brick and mortar seemed to have varying types of difficulty over the last couple of years that I have visited it.

Makinsawdust · 07-14-2009, 11:15 PM

As a consumer I hate to loose the ability to run over and pick something up if needed. As a former PT employee I can understand how it happened.

JimmyC · 07-15-2009, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by WoodWrangler

In my business, all feedback is good feedback and should be seen as constructive. Klingspor is still good in my book, but in all honestly the truth won't be so pretty (otherwise they'd still be open in Charlotte)

I agree you completely, feedback should be constructive, good or bad. Just praisng a business is like giving all the kids in a soccer league the same trophies, one team should get bigger tropies for other kids to aspire to. Kinder and gentler doesn't work in real life.

I think Klingspor in Raliegh is the best store locally, but even they can use tweaking. Remember, "The only thing that stays constant in life if change"

Travis Porter · 07-15-2009, 12:23 PM

Very sad indeed....

CaptnA · 07-15-2009, 12:39 PM

I always hate to hear such news.
Economics are a harsh reality. Internet sales are often a way to save some money and usually offer good deals - until you need some help. Nothing beats a knowledgeable sales staff; something I've rarely if ever actually found through online purchases.
I try to support my local sellers whenever possible. I abhor the big box stores, but I can't afford not to go to them. My kids don't really understand what 'going down to the hardware store' once meant and I doubt the future generations will understand it at all.
My son tried to get some specialty bolts and finally through a local fastener company located them. All they wanted him to do was buy a minimum of 500 of them.......

Dragon · 07-20-2009, 06:56 PM

Hope this won't be too political to remain here. I was only able to make one visit to the Charlotte store and found both the store itself and the staff working that day to be great. I will admit to being somewhat shocked to see some of the prices on their wood, especially the Ambrosia Maple.

Over the course of the past week, I've been in and out of the Lincolnton Lowe's store several times and have carped to management about the high prices and poor quality of their goods to no avail. The general attitude in business today seems to be "tough cookies" Pal, pay it or depart my store most ricky tick. Lowe's so-called "select" grade lumber is warped, twisted, cracked, etc. and they don't seem to care about customer complaints. Not saying this is/was the same with Klingspor's, but in the present economy most folks can't afford to spend big bucks on their hobbies so they go where they get the most quantity for the least expense. Yeah, I love the higher quality of better grade sandpaper but......the Wal Mart stuff does the job even though the grit doesn't stay on the paper as long.

I for one am doing my best to NOT buy anything NOT made in the good ole U S of A but it ain't easy, and I try as hard as I can to support my local economy. I feel sorry for Klingspore's but it seems to be the way of the U.S. economy right now. I fear we're heading for a very ugly time of it before thingas get any better, if at all.