It really is no secret that our stained glass industry is in trouble.
Pathetic supplier situation. Stores closing. Difficulty getting inventory. Increasingly alternate sources of amusement competing with our hobby.But we persist.
And that’s why we feel compelled to address an awkward issue.
Seems with the recent glass store closings many of you have asked us what our intentions are.
Will we be next?It’s dangerous to even bring this topic out in to the open as merely addressing it causes all manner of speculation.
As such, we feel an uncomfortable need to allay our customers and make the following statement:
WE ARE NOT CLOSING.
If you’ve been into Fantasy In Glass recently you’ll see that we still believe that we have a place and a purpose to provide a needed service to this craft and our customers.
And the proof of this can be found by the significant increase in our inventory in recent months. Not really the kind of thing you’d see if we were planning to close (although it might be the sort of thing a sharp retailer would do if he suspected a supplier of his might be due to fail... Vanna Opal).So, relax.
Really.
We’re not going anywhere.
But... this does give us an opportunity to bring up a somewhat related topic- our store hours.
We are adjusting them. Why?
Firstly, it was perhaps an error to open so late in the day at 11 am, so we are rectifying that by opening at 10 am (besides the drive-thru line up at Tim Hortons is more manageable then).
Our closing times remain 5 pm and 7 pm on class nights.
But now we will also be closed on Tuesdays (along with Sunday and Monday) effective August 2012.
I know, its a little unconventional.
Ah, what the heck, it's a lot unconventional.
Who has a retail store that is only open 4 days a week?
Well, it seems we will.
And why?
We’ve been in business for thirty years. Still love the craft, and more so our customers. We have a responsibility to continue to be there for you. We also have a responsibility to ourselves and feel that after 30 years, it is time to enjoy life a bit more outside of our business.
So look at this as a good compromise.
The alternative is not one we would consider as it seems there are many in this craft that expect us to be there for them...
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7 comments:
I'm not a customer, just a fan of the blog. I have to say I really hate that stores are closed on the weekend. People that aren't full time artists only get 1 day to get in and stock up and likely can't get in on a week night if you're closed at 5.
Nothing against you, just a problem I know people have here with some of the stores. But there have been several times I know I pretty much had to shut down because the supplier is closed and I was just screwed until they reopened.
Thanks for the comment Daniel, but the complaint you have as a customer is the same one I also am entitled to have as a customer of other retailers. I think I also have the right to shop on the weekends.
In any case, we are open on saturdays...
Besides, it was either close an extra day, or consider the alternative...
Love the 10am opening and good for you for taking a 3 day weekend...considering that you never got the long weekends like everyone else.....you go BOY!!!
P.S. Mr Fig those 'prove you're are not a robot' thingies are getting close to impossible.......
Thanks Doris"
And I will fix the robot thingie.
Coffee is cream, no sugar - see you at 10
new to your blog. kudos for hanging in there. I have one local supplier, and they are closed on my days off, so it is awkward to get in. luckily, i am self employed and if i really need to get there, i can.
the bigger issue is the supply. the industry is struggling an times are hard for lots of people, including suppliers. I hate to purchase on the internet, especially glass, i like to see the sheets and choose what i am taking home. my local supplier is in debt to her suppliers so cannot get new shipments of glass, or supplies. very inconvenient.
Not as unconventional as you might think. I'm also a Art Glass Store owner and changed my hours about 5 years ago to Wed-Sat 10am to 5pm and Sunday 12:30-5pm. Lots more people can shop on a Sat/Sunday than a Tuesday.
But be prepared you will still catch people by suprise on Tuesdays... its been five years an at least once a month I hear "I tried you on Tuesday but you were closed, when did you start doing that." Like 5 years ago!
I do alot of my teaching on Sunday Mornings instead of evenings.
Hurray! Open at 10....looking forward to doing some shopping :)
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