Woodwright's School and Tool Store Closing 2023

[mdbuntyn]

I received an email today saying that Roy and Ed will be closing shop August 31, 2023.

From the email:

"The Woodwright's School and Tool Store will close the doors August 31, 2023. It is that time in our lives to move on to new adventures. The School started in 2009 and the Tool Store in 2010. We opened just after the Great Recession and are closing in the time of COVID, what a long strange trip it's been. It has been very special being part of The Woodwright's School staff after working 31 years at NIH. I never imagined being able to meet so many interesting people from around the world. We will be having classes next year and I want to keep the store open, at some capacity, for most of the time until we are closed. In keeping with our alcohol powered tradition, Anna's wine store will move into the school location on September 1, 2023."​

 

[creasman]

I talked w/Ed last week and knew this was coming. Sad to get the official announcement. Ed still has a lot of good tools. Get 'em before they're gone.

 

[Gotcha6]

Sorry to hear it but I completely understand.
Inasmuch as I enjoyed the Extravaganza last weekend, I saw few attendees that weren't within ~10 years of my age group, telling me that the demographics for our skills are waning. I had a long rant ready to send on this but I decided to let someone else give their take on it.

 

[J_Graham]

Saw this a few minutes ago and im hoping to get into a class 2023. Sad to see it go for sure.

 

[Hmerkle]

Sorry to hear it but I completely understand.
Inasmuch as I enjoyed the Extravaganza last weekend, I saw few attendees that weren't within ~10 years of my age group, telling me that the demographics for our skills are waning. I had a long rant ready to send on this but I decided to let someone else give their take on it.

There is interest from a younger demographic, especially in some hand tool woodworking in specific communities. For example, the crowd that follows Mortise & Tenon magazine and I know there are younger followers of Chris Schwarz. It is hard to attract them to our forum and the Hickory show is so regional, you don't see them like you do at a woodworking in America or something like Handworks (Handworks 2023)

 

[tarheelz]

Apologies for reviving a very old thread. With Roy shutting things down, do we know if Ed ever re-opened in another location?

 

[Hmerkle]

Apologies for reviving a very old thread. With Roy shutting things down, do we know if Ed ever re-opened in another location?

I don't think so but see post #9 and #11 in this thread:

Wanted - 2 1/4" plane iron

This morning at the MWTCA meeting I picked up a nice older 5 1/2c that takes a fairly odd iron size, 2 1/4" wide. The plane is in great shape, but the iron is just about used up. I could order a Hock replacement, but I'd prefer a factory iron. Is there anyone out there who has one they'd be...

ncwoodworker.net

It seems he is still doing something - maybe you can get to him through MWTCA???

What are you hunting for?

 

[creasman]

Ed's plans do not include opening another location. You can email him with your want list to see if he has anything available. He will be selling at local MWTCA meets.

 

[tarheelz]

Thanks, guys. I'll watch for him.