Williams-Sanoma closing at Bayshore (Glendale, WI)

[exvaxman]

apparently a dispute over the cost of the rent. Bad location inside, etc.
The last day open is supposed to be the 15th of this month if you need an expensive gadget fix.

[Fowler]

Williams Sonoma stock is down almost 13% today. It appears there is a larger issue and that may partially explain the Bayshore closing.

[Fowler]

Thanks for the report. I suppose Sur la Table gave them quite a bit of competition at the Bayshore location. On the other hand, that was the only Williams-Sonoma east of Mayfair so I would have thought they could have made it work. That area is where their prime demographic resides.

Did they mention anything about a going out of business sale? They will probably just move their inventory over to the Mayfair store though.

[exvaxman]

I will say that Sur la Table has far more staffing and a better selection of stuff.
I do not know if there is going to be a sale there or not - I just blew my budget through Amazon getting things not available locally so I am staying away.

Milwaukee really needs a decent gourmet cookware/gadget place. The fact that both local chains went under makes me sad for the area.

[Fowler]

There is a small, independent, nice gourmet cookware place in Sendik's Towne Center. The vast majority of their items one may find for significantly less expensive on Amazon but they do sell some really unique items as well. I picked up a really cool pepper mill there as well as a beautiful Italian ceramic trivet and I do not think I could find either of those elsewhere.

What I think the Milwaukee area needs is a good importer. Milwaukeeans can purchase All Clad and Wusthof all over town. There is need for unique items!

[exvaxman]

wasn't that gourmet cottage? Or something like that? I thought that they went under along with the mequon branch some time ago. Last time I drove past some sort of eatery had taken the space.

[exvaxman]

Gourmet Outfitters was the place that had two branches - one by Sendiks and the origional in Mequon. The last time I drove past they were gone. Did a new place open?

[Fydeaux]

I think I missed a beat somewhere...you couldnt really be suggesting that Williams-Sonoma is a local chain, are you? If not, what local chains are you referring to?

But aside from that, Boelter Company is right down the street from Bayshore, south of Hampton & north of Capitol, Plus, a little further south and a little further east is Fein Brothers on MLK. I would love to have either of these on the west side.

[exvaxman]

No - not suggesting that they are local. Just that I would like a gourmet gadget place.
Boelter & Fein are commercial - and do not often have good deals (but I did pick up a bunch of flatware recently at Boelter). Fein I only go to when I know they have something. Two of the last three times I went there I was asked by streetwalkers if I wanted to "party". Boelter I sort of gave up on when they stopped carrying a lot of the paper goods I used to buy at their old location on silver Spring. When you go to Boelter also stop in the Koss outlet across the street.

[Fowler]

"Two of the last three times I went there I was asked by streetwalkers if I wanted to "party".

Well don't keep us in suspense...what was your answer?!?!? :-)

I have been to Fein Bros. a few times but it seems more geared toward the restaurant business and like you said they did not appear to have good deals. Unless one wants a box of 200 cloth napkins, 75 S&P shakers, etc.

[Fydeaux]

I have gone in there to buy a half dozen pub glasses, a single paring knife...yes it's geared for people in the trade, but not exclusively.

And yes, the neighborhood CAN be dicey, but any reasonably cautious person can avoid trouble. There is also an excelloent gourmet chocolatier across the street and up the block.

[exvaxman]

The chocolatier is great, but a little "strange" to deal with. I've had some interesting discussions with him.

I rarely go to Feins anymore with Boelter around the corner from me. I used to go to Feins for bulk supplies of aluminum, etc., but I like getting those at GFS.

[Fydeaux]

Yeah, I recall now that the chocolatier has some very strong feelings on some issues, LPs vs CDs for one. But the chocolate is great.

[Fowler]

"Yeah, I recall now that the chocolatier has some very strong feelings on some issues, LPs vs CDs for one."

Don't even get him started on the deep tunnel issue.

[exvaxman]

You are correct - no sale, the inventory is moving.
I just stopped in this morning.
To be fair, I did spend $25 on an item that Sur la Table was out of stock on.