Virginia CK&T mall stores closing....

xsrdx

xsrdx

Joined
Apr 25, 2002
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343
Looks like the only Chesapeake Knife & Tool remaining open in Virginia is the store at Fair Oaks Mall, in Fairfax.

The mall stores at Landmark, Tysons Corner, and now Springfield Mall have all closed.

I tried to buy from them periodically, although their pricing was not competitive. It was great to have a store in the mall that sold decent knives, and they had just recently added SureFire and Inova flashlights to their inventory.

I would either be far poorer, or have a lot fewer knives, in the absence of online retail, but it's sad to see B&M stores fail like this.
 
I tried to buy from them periodically, although their pricing was not competitive.
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You can't float a business all by yourself, although I've tried with several local restraunts that inevitably went under.

I think it would be very hard for a mall knife store to compete with the selection, prices, and service of the well-known online dealers.

-Bob
 
The closed a bunch here in MD as well, there's only 3 left open in MD now. One in Towson Townsenter, One in Columbia Mall and one at the Inner Harbor. I had one really close to me but they closed. I work at a knifestore myself but we seem to be doin alright #'s but everythings so cheap online its a wonder than any knifestore could remain open.
 
Yeah, I am in Maryland as well. It is sure a bummer to see two malls within 30 minutes of me lose their CK&T stores. I don't know where else there is a large selection of cutlery.
 
Since most knife customers are probably men, why not combine a knife store with an adult business of some kind?
 
I was looking for them recently too. Went to tysons, dulles town center and finally fairfax. The store in fairfax moved to a larger spot but it could be the last bit before they fizzle. I just bought a strop there recently.
 
I think the store in Chesterfield Towne Center closed down as well. I think the days of the brick and mortar knife stores is coming to an end:(.
 
Chris Mapp said:
I think the days of the brick and mortar knife stores is coming to an end:(.
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I think the brick & mortar stores that sell knives as well as other stuff - for example Cabela's - will be fine.
 
Well New Graham is a B&M store and is in Virginia so I use them as much as I can. Most of the Gun shops I go to sell knives too but are much more expensive than on-line, but are good if I want to look at one before I buy.
 
I go to the CK&T in the Towsontown mall just about every time I'm in there. The prices aren't great but they aren't horrible. Besides, I like to fondle a knife before I buy it and that's something that no online store can do. I've gotten a fe knives from them and the guys at the Towson store seem to know what they're talking about. I'd hate to see the store close.
 
Agreed, they do seem friendly and knowledgeable. And, eventually, they remember your name. I have patronized their establishment many times, to the detriment of my wallet. The price tags sometimes incude sticker-shock, but now and then you'll find a bargain (or at least something not too pricey). I've taken to purchasing SAKs there lately.
 
I'm not sad to see them go.

They were way over MSRP on most of the name knives. Be silly to pay $200 for a Benchmade 710 you could get for 110- 120 elsewhere. $80.00 is a whole 'nother knife! 10, 15 even 20 dollar difference & I'd implulse buy, but 80-100 diff, no way.

The staff varied between little to no knowledge of the industry, or immensely arrogant. I remember a guy at the Fair Oaks Mall, when I pointed out a liner lock on a new knife (a CRKT) was way over to the right saying something like "I am a professional knife dealer and I sell knives all the time, I know there is nothing wrong with that knifes lock," I would have bought that knife, or a similar not from display case, but the guy started to give me attitude and treat me like an ignoramus...he then proceed to turn away and start to hard sell someone else on a Frost POS. Not realizing I had about $1500 worth of pocket knives on me (I was more into customs at the time) and knew knives way better than he.

There was a couple of staff at the Dulles town Center mall that really knew their stuff, personally bought good stuff (their discount made it less painfull), and interacted knowledgeably and friendly with customers. For some reason they all got fired one day and a bunch of high school and goth looking kids took over...stopped even buying tuff cloths at that point.

I say good riddance.
 
In Bluefield VA.
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I buy from Mike all the time, but until he opens a store in the mall, CK&T is the only thing remotely close to a comprehensive cutlery store nearby.

At least, it used to be. :(

It's just a little sad to think a suburban mall can no longer support a single cutlery store, while it has no trouble supporting 28 stores that sell clothing and accessories to teenage girls.
 
comprehensive cutlery store nearby
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"If Mike ain't got it, it's not worth havin."

supporting 28 stores that sell clothing and accessories to teenage girls.
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I always thought it would be cool to have a "Guy's Mall" only one store for clothing. But then stores for gear, cars, a couple nudie bars, a shooting range, gun store, car acessories place and maybe a dyno.
 
xsrdx said:
It's just a little sad to think a suburban mall can no longer support a single cutlery store, while it has no trouble supporting 28 stores that sell clothing and accessories to teenage girls.
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Ask some of the fathers on here how much they've lavished their teenage daughters with stuff. Your question will be answered.
 
I totally forgot about New Graham. A shame really, since I just placed an order with them the week before last. I'd love to see them open up another one more toward the eastern side of Va.

Another store I forgot about is Extreme Outfitters in Va Beach. They had a pretty good selection last time I was there, and good prices as well. In fact, they had a full size Calypso for 99.99. Wish I had the funds to pick it up then.

I remember the prices from CK&T. Some were definitely above MSRP. A shame really, because they usually had a pretty good selection.
 
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