For those who read the post re: Fenton Glass Closing

[Homer Wells]

A little update!

Cathy and I went up to Fenton's gift shop in Williamstown, WV today after reading about the closing here on DU.

While shopping , I spoke with a young female employee . I told her that we were quite distressed to learn that they were closing after all these years.

I explained that I have been a member of DU for some time, and had seen a post regarding the closing, and that many people on here were quite familiar with Fenton, and many were getting the word out to others to look into purchasing their beautiful merchandise, while they still had the chance.

She had never heard of DU, but was pleased to hear that so many were interested. I hope she passes this on to the owners.

She told me the production line will be closed down the first week or so of October, but they plan to leave the gift shop open indefinitely (she guessed a few years anyway), to insure the sale of all remaining stock. There is to be one more QVC program, and then that will be over.

This glassware is of very high quality, and as true American ART designed by highly skilled craftsmen, it is well worth the money.

By the time we left, Cathy had spent well over $500.00.

If you get a chance, check out Fenton's website and see what I mean.:7

[Tanuki]

1. And here is a link to the Fenton website again:

http://www.fentonartglass.com/


Thanks for the update, Stephen!:hi:

[burrowowl]

2. KICK!

[illinoisprogressive]

3. how sad. I love fenton. I use to sell antiques and loved the old stuff alot but,

the new stuff is amazing.

[emilyg]

4. Very sad.

I have always given my daughter a Fenton for her birthday.

[prairierose]

5. Thanks for letting us know...

I am so sad about this. The glass is amazing and it is so sad that they can not keep the business going.

[Ino]

6. This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen...

http://imgred.com/
Wish I could afford it! ($325)

[Tanuki]

7. kicking

[Bluebear]

8. What a shame, high production costs? Low demand? No buyers?

Horrible news.

[Tanuki]

10. They have kept the product and the jobs here in the U.S., but sadly

Fenton glass has hit a perfect economic storm:
http://statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=27401
quoting company president George Fenton:
"One is that we generally sell to people in rural (areas) with moderate incomes," he said "… Today, they have less discretionary income. Two, people are doing less collecting. Three, there is more competition from overseas.
"Four, there are higher costs, especially natural gas," Fenton said. "Health care is right behind. Those have all come together.”

[tabasco]

9. Fenton Glass couldn't wait for the tax cuts for the rich to trickle down.

Another victim of failed right-wing economics.