Woodcraft Closing

[Coop]

I received an email yesterday that the franchise owners of the two stores in Houston are closing them. As both of these are about 20 miles further than my Rockler, I have not frequented them that much but I’m sure my lack of business is not the reason for their demise.

[fcschoenthal]

I'll check with one of the ones up here in DFW and see what they say. All of the Texas franchises are owned by the same guy.

[Mark J]

In related news, Woodcraft is no longer producing Woodcraft Magazine. 

[Von]

I think the Rockler magazine (Woodwork's Journal?) is also closing down, but perhaps I'm getting them confused.

[legenddc]

I haven't been to Woodcraft in a long time. A Rockler opened up at a much more convenient place for me. Might just be our stores but the Rockler seems much more open and inviting compared to the two Woodcraft stores near me.

[Mark J]

When I was first getting into Woodworking the Chicago metro area had 3 Rocklers and 2 Woodcrafts.  Now we are down to one of each.  Still, we're fortunate to have bricks & mortar access to both.

[fcschoenthal]

On 7/23/2024 at 8:17 AM, legenddc said:

Rockler seems much more open and inviting compared to the two Woodcraft stores near me.

I guess I'm lucky to have both a Rockler and Woodcraft about 15 minutes away. I really prefer Woodcraft, as I feel Rockler mostly pushes their own gimmicky products, although admittedly I've bought into quite a few. 

[legenddc]

On 7/23/2024 at 12:22 PM, fcschoenthal said:

I guess I'm lucky to have both a Rockler and Woodcraft about 15 minutes away. I really prefer Woodcraft, as I feel Rockler mostly pushes their own gimmicky products, although admittedly I've bought into quite a few. 

It could just be when the stores by me were opened. I know the one Woodcraft has been around since at least the 90s. It seems darker and more cramped than the Rockler which opened a year ago. Could just be the blue T-tracks making the space brighter! Our two Woodcrafts also have the cashier right in front of the doors so as soon as you walk in there's an old guy staring you down.

[fcschoenthal]

On 7/22/2024 at 8:40 PM, Coop said:

I received an email yesterday that the franchise owners of the two stores in Houston are closing them. As both of these are about 20 miles further than my Rockler, I have not frequented them that much but I’m sure my lack of business is not the reason for their demise.

 

On 7/23/2024 at 6:29 AM, fcschoenthal said:

I'll check with one of the ones up here in DFW and see what they say. All of the Texas franchises are owned by the same guy.

Coop, I checked with my buddies at Woodcraft about the stores closing. They said that of the 6 stores in their franchise, the two Houston stores were the lowest performers. It was just a matter of economics.

[BillyJack]

It’s all going online. Nobody goes to the store but to actually see in person. It’s great tye first time , but after that you order online..

[Chet]

On 8/1/2024 at 10:06 AM, BillyJack said:

Nobody goes to the store but to actually see in person.

Online is my last stop and only as a last resort.  I would rather help out my community.

[BillyJack]

On 8/4/2024 at 10:54 AM, Chet said:

Online is my last stop and only as a last resort.  I would rather help out my community.

I understand, but most have went online. It’s always about the price..

[BillyJack]

A lot of stores are closing because of online purchasing. Wife buys all grand daughter clothes online. The mall use to be a good time when I was a kid. Not anymore. 

[JohnG]

On 8/1/2024 at 1:06 PM, BillyJack said:

It’s all going online. Nobody goes to the store but to actually see in person. It’s great tye first time , but after that you order online..

Hey look, something I agree with BillyJack on. 

On 8/4/2024 at 11:54 AM, Chet said:

Online is my last stop and only as a last resort.  I would rather help out my community.

Unfortunately you are in the minority here.  It’s a rough time for brick and mortar stores. Foot traffic is way down overall. Just like preferring made in USA goods, there are a lot of people that like the idea of shopping local but then price and convenience win.

[BillyJack]

Buying USA made is a large challenge.I loved looking at tools at Sears, but it’s gone. I don’t enjoy Woodcraft. Been there and It’s not a place I shop.

 

I did enjoy the KC woodworking show, gone..There I could see new and old and get some deals..

[RonH]

I went by both of the two that are closing in Houston and it is lack of business.  They both said they were in a bad location.