Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 37,954
I told you about my old friend who passed away.
I had another old friend , Bill, who started a business after a Naval career. He started a lapidary shop 40 years ago. I helped him move from his tiny start to a bigger place 36 years ago. The business grew, his sons and family worked with him , with me helping and filling in as needed,and it became a major east coast jewelry supplier. About 15 years ago Bill died suddenly from a heart attack. I closed my store for a week, and helped run his store while his family dealt with the loss. His oldest son took over the business (now owned by two brothers, a sister, and the mom), and made it even bigger. He ,sadly, got hooked on cocaine and gambling and put the business $1.5 million in the red about five years ago. He went to jail on drug related issues, and his younger brother too over. He pulled the business out of the red and got it going again just in time fro the economy to tank. Add to that the problem that most jewelers now order from places like Stuller, and the business started downhill again. Due to lack of income, some bad business decisions, and some personal problems,the second brother ran it into worse debt. Now, the business is closing. The remaining sister, ,and her very elderly ( and ill) mother are the owners now.With help from me and one of the original employees they are liquidating the entire stock of tools and supplies. They told me to box up anything I would need,had friends who could use, and any items and tools that I wanted. They made me a deal that was far too good to refuse. I have purchased all of several items, and a large amount of others. In a week, I may get all that is left after they sell off what they can to the jewelers in town. I believe they want to vacate by the 10th.
I have purchased hundreds of Vallor files ( from 3" needle barrette to 14" hand bastards, including hand checkering files) and dozens of boxes of professional grade sandpaper. Many tools, polishes, etc. I will be putting these into knife maker box lots and offering them on the for sale forum. A typical box will have $1000+ in supplies and tools, and will sell for $100 ppd. I will probably make up some $50 boxes,too. There will be some individual items for sale, and perhaps some jewelers boxes,too.
I'll let you know more as things develop.
I told the sister that I felt bad about getting all this at such a ridiculously low price, She said she would rather practically give it to me than sell it to a stranger for more.
Stacy
I had another old friend , Bill, who started a business after a Naval career. He started a lapidary shop 40 years ago. I helped him move from his tiny start to a bigger place 36 years ago. The business grew, his sons and family worked with him , with me helping and filling in as needed,and it became a major east coast jewelry supplier. About 15 years ago Bill died suddenly from a heart attack. I closed my store for a week, and helped run his store while his family dealt with the loss. His oldest son took over the business (now owned by two brothers, a sister, and the mom), and made it even bigger. He ,sadly, got hooked on cocaine and gambling and put the business $1.5 million in the red about five years ago. He went to jail on drug related issues, and his younger brother too over. He pulled the business out of the red and got it going again just in time fro the economy to tank. Add to that the problem that most jewelers now order from places like Stuller, and the business started downhill again. Due to lack of income, some bad business decisions, and some personal problems,the second brother ran it into worse debt. Now, the business is closing. The remaining sister, ,and her very elderly ( and ill) mother are the owners now.With help from me and one of the original employees they are liquidating the entire stock of tools and supplies. They told me to box up anything I would need,had friends who could use, and any items and tools that I wanted. They made me a deal that was far too good to refuse. I have purchased all of several items, and a large amount of others. In a week, I may get all that is left after they sell off what they can to the jewelers in town. I believe they want to vacate by the 10th.
I have purchased hundreds of Vallor files ( from 3" needle barrette to 14" hand bastards, including hand checkering files) and dozens of boxes of professional grade sandpaper. Many tools, polishes, etc. I will be putting these into knife maker box lots and offering them on the for sale forum. A typical box will have $1000+ in supplies and tools, and will sell for $100 ppd. I will probably make up some $50 boxes,too. There will be some individual items for sale, and perhaps some jewelers boxes,too.
I'll let you know more as things develop.
I told the sister that I felt bad about getting all this at such a ridiculously low price, She said she would rather practically give it to me than sell it to a stranger for more.
Stacy
