Is Woodworkers Supply Closing?
The other day, I was sitting with my coffee, staring out my kitchen window, watching the neighbor’s dog chase a squirrel. It got me thinking about my last trip to Woodworkers Supply. Remember the buzz that was going around? Folks at the diner were whispering about it like it was the latest gossip—you know how small towns can be. “Are they closing?” “Did you hear they can’t keep stock?” I mean, it felt like we were all holding our breath.
Now, my relationship with Woodworkers Supply has been a long one. I mean, it’s practically part of my garage now. The smell of fresh cedar and pine hits you as soon as you walk through those doors, and ahh, that sound of saws whirring and planers buzzing—it’s like music to my ears. My old drill press, bless its heart, has seen some action thanks to their lumber supply.
The Projects That Didn’t Go As Planned
I remember this one time—oh boy, what a mess I made. I decided I was going to craft a dining table for my wife. Nothing fancy, just a nice, rustic piece to replace that old Formica one we had. I got totally carried away, envisioning us hosting family gatherings around this beautiful table. I bought some lovely oak, right from Woodworkers Supply, paying a little extra for the good stuff. I had the perfect plan sketched out in my mind.
But here’s the thing—I got overconfident. Instead of measuring twice, I was measuring once and just going for it. It was a warm day, and you know how wood expands with the heat. I cut those lengths, and a couple of boards later, I realized I had mismatched sizes. It was like trying to stuff a square peg in a round hole! I can still picture the look on my wife’s face when I brought the pieces back to the table to dry-fit. “Well, what do you think?” I asked with a grin that faltered a bit when I saw her squinting at my uneven mishmash. I almost threw in the towel and took the whole thing back to Woodworkers Supply, red-faced, thinking I’d need to start all over.
But that’s when I learned something valuable: it’s not always about how perfect the project turns out; it’s the journey, the mistakes, and the fixes in between. I ended up piecing it together, glue and clamps everywhere, fixing my blunders. After hours of adjusting and cursing under my breath, I got that table standing. And wouldn’t you know it, when it was all finished—with a nice coat of that deep walnut stain—it ended up being one of my proudest creations. We still use it. Family dinners are now filled with laughter, memories, and plenty of “remember when we almost didn’t have this table” stories.
A Bit of Fear
I think what hit me hardest was just realizing how dependent I was on that store. Woodworkers Supply had everything I needed. If I wanted that solid cherry wood for a new project or a new chisel because the old one was duller than a butter knife, it was all there. If they closed, goodness, where would I go? Suddenly my garage workshop felt a little less like a sanctuary and more like a ship without a compass.
I remember chatting with the store owner one day while I was picking up some finishing nails. She had mentioned the struggle of keeping goods in stock and how the pandemic had affected everyone, especially small shops. You could almost hear the weariness in her voice, mixed with a little spark of hope. I could see it in her eyes too—a lot of love for this craft, for the community around it.
The Joy of Discovery
That’s when I decided I didn’t want to just be a consumer; I wanted to become part of that community, the one that supported local businesses. I started going to local woodworking meet-ups and sharing my experiences, silly mistakes and all. I eventually began teaching some of the neighbors the basics—how to pick the right wood, the importance of safety around tools, and simple techniques for joins.
If you’ve ever struggled with a woodworking project, just know this: the mistakes are part of it. There were times I swore I’d never pick up another tool, only to end up back in the garage the next day, surrounded by sawdust, and just a little more informed than the day before.
Finding Peace in Reverberating Sounds
So, is Woodworkers Supply closing? I don’t know. I hope not. But what I do know is that whether they stay or go, the real value is the craft and the community we build around it. That satisfying sound of the saw, the smell of fresh wood, and the laughter as you share those “oops” moments—those are what keep us coming back.
And if you’re on the fence, thinking about picking up that tool or starting that project, just go for it. Jump in with both feet! You might mess up, but that’s all part of it. Trust me; you’ll figure it out. And who knows? You might end up creating something beautiful, something that’ll bring people together in your own space, just like my table did.
