Good News/Bad News

[Sheilajeanne]

Good news - I had a certificate that gave me 20% off regular priced items at Tandy for the month of June. So, this being the last week of June, I visited my closest Tandy store in Barrie, Ontario.

Bad news: I was shocked to see that the store's marquee had been blanked out, and that there was a sign on the store door saying they were closing for good. I was about to return to my car, when I saw there was someone inside the store, beckoning to me.

I went inside, and was told the store was about to close for good at 4 p.m. today, and I was going to be their very last customer.  He was just about to lock the door forever when I showed up.

This is the store that started my leatherwork adventure back in 2015 https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/65312-is-everything-from-tandy-sub-par/page/2/ My mentor, Bill, passed away in 2018, and is greatly missed. The man who helped me with my purchase today is the regional manager for Ontario, and remembers him well and spoke very fondly of him.  https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/82652-heres-to-you-bill/?tab=comments#comment-556218

 

The closing of this store means the only stores close to me will be in either Markham or Mississauga, neither of which are close to where I live (Simcoe County). 

The good news is, with my 20% off certificate I did some serious damage to my credit card, and purchased a very nice side, plus some dye, resist and two spools of thread.

But dammit, Barrie Tandy, I will miss you! 

 

 

Edited June 30, 2024 by Sheilajeanne

[Mablung]

Dang! Sorry to hear that. That really sucks. I’d feel high and dry if my local Tandy closed, and I’d sink a lot of money into materials as well. That’s really too bad, Sheilajeanne. 

[SUP]

Sorry to hear that @Sheilajeanne. I hope you find a good alternative for your future leather purchases.

[kgg]

9 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said:

and that there was a sign on the store door saying they were closing for good.

That is too bad at least you got a few good deals before they closed. Did they give a reason for the closure or any news about the other two stores?

kgg

[Dwight]

11 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said:

Good news - I had a certificate that gave me 20% off regular priced items at Tandy for the month of June. So, this being the last week of June, I visited my closest Tandy store in Barrie, Ontario.

Bad news: I was shocked to see that the store's marquee had been blanked out, and that there was a sign on the store door saying they were closing for good. I was about to return to my car, when I saw there was someone inside the store, beckoning to me.

 

 

Sheilajeanne . . .  I use the one in Columbus, Ohio . . . and know the manager for being a really good guy.  They have put stuff in the mail for me in the past . . . 

I don't have their mailing address . . . but I'll get it for you if you want . . .  and their phone number.  I'm sure Scott would do whatever he could to help you out . . . 

Let me know if you want to try that.

May God bless,

Dwight

[chuck123wapati]

don't worry all this stuff that is happening globally is just a crazy conspiracy theory. Plastic shoes and clothes are ok its sustainable leather from nature that is destroying the world.

[Mablung]

1 hour ago, chuck123wapati said:

Plastic shoes and clothes are ok its sustainable leather from nature that is destroying the world.

Couldn’t possibly want to use the resources God actually gave us, instead of the ones we want to create for ourselves, huh?

That sparks a thought. It seems human hubris (if not something palpably evil) is demonstrated in such a mentality that inverts what is good and what is not. God made animals, gave them to us for food and their skins for clothing, yet now the prevailing line amongst those who have the microphone is that those things are abusive, disgusting, and unhealthy, whereas humanly-synthesized plastics and other synthetics are what are really safe for us and the planet. We try so very hard to be God that we ignore and even outright reject His good gifts to us, including in the form of leather. This twaddle about all things non-leather being better makes me want to go make another pair of shoes just to really show them.

All that said, synthetics have their place. Once I get good enough, I plan to make a pair of tall hunting boots using a Vibram lugged sole. Synthetic materials are useful. They’re just not the answer to some made-up ethical dilemma posed by using leather, or the ecological savior (quite the opposite). 

[Northmount]

13 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said:

Good news - I had a certificate that gave me 20% off regular priced items at Tandy for the month of June.

Went to the local Tandy a couple weeks ago to get the double shoulder vegtan at this sale price.  None in stock, didn't arrive, you can order it on the web (and pay shipping).  I asked about them ordering it to pick up in the store.  Sure we can do that, you pay the shipping though anyhow.  Not buying that!

I've bought from Tandy here since 1961, through several managers and locations.  Finding I have less interest in purchasing from Tandy with all the changes in the past5 years or so.

[FrankHester]

If by chance you decide Tandy is your huckleberry, you can order over the phone through Tandy #168 in Cheyenne WY.  They often have in stock what is out of stock online.

They get it shipped our fast also.  

[jrdunn]

4 hours ago, Northmount said:

Went to the local Tandy a couple weeks ago to get the double shoulder vegtan at this sale price.  None in stock, didn't arrive, you can order it on the web (and pay shipping).  I asked about them ordering it to pick up in the store.  Sure we can do that, you pay the shipping though anyhow.  Not buying that!

I've bought from Tandy here since 1961, through several managers and locations.  Finding I have less interest in purchasing from Tandy with all the changes in the past5 years or so.

This has kinda been the overall impression I've had in the past several years too.  JM2C, Jim