Plaza Cutlery

A

ASBOB

Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
1,304
There is great sadness in what I have to say. In today's mail I just got a notice that Plaza Cutlery is closing their store after 44 years. They will still have a limited online business.

One of the great knife stores in the United States, owned by some of the nicest people you've ever met.

We're losing a real treasure.
 
Sorry to hear that. It’s a great store. I purchased a sebenza from them a number of years ago. I hope they continue to facilitate the California custom knife show
 
What a bummer. I have been there several times and always enjoyed my visits. Hopefully they will be open through June so I can visit one last time.
Sorry they have to close their doors.
Respect
 
Now that is sad news. I do hope they continue to maintain a solid online presence.
 
They were around when I was a kid growing up in OC! I had a budy that worked there in high school nearly 35 years ago. I’ve dropped by a few times in the last couple of years when in town visiting family. Always really frendly folks behind the counter.

The times I’ve been in, even as a kid, they would get a fair amount of foot traffic but I saw very little sales action. Lots of the production stuff I’ve seen there (Spydies & BM, IIRC) has been above MAP, perhaps even as high as MSRP, which I think turns many customers into lookey-loos.

Regardless, this news is disappointing to me. Total bummer in many different ways. I’m sad to know they’ll be gone & I’ll have one less enjoyable stop to look forward to on my next trip to the area.
 
Last edited:
Sadly, only further sign of the times in which we live in and in actuality, I'm surprised that they lasted so long being located in that Orange County, CA Mall which is not exactly a renter's haven to operate a cutlery store. Seems like that the owner will take the rest of his ware him and sell off online till all are dispensed.
 
I talked to Dan the other day concerning a CRK I ordered. He did say that after 44 years in the business, it’s time to slow down, so they agreed to shut the store down and do internet sales only. He didn’t mention anything about limited merchandise.
 
Wow..

Not surprised.. The mall must of raised their rent or not renewed their lease.
 
I have purchased online and at their shop in the mall. Very nice people and good experiences. Best wishes to Plaza.
 
I know there is a lot of speculation why we are closing so will let you all know. Also I have signed up as a dealer on Blade Forums again.

Time has caught up with Russ and I. Knees are going and time is going by, like 44 years! If we are ever to do anything else we need to do it now.

South Coast Plaza has treated us like family. We have not paid the going rate in the center as they know our merchandise does not have the profit in it that cloths and jewelry has. But they like us and Skip in leasing asked me three times as did the family who owns the center to reconsider. I have the feeling if I asked for a rent reduction they would have done it. But its just time. 44 years is a long run.

I will continue to sell online Randall, Rockstead, Reeve, Lambert and others knives but just not as much and should be more price competitive without having the overhead.
Russ will also be setting up for sharpening.

Stock will be blown out starting Saturday in store and online.

Hope I did not upset management with this post. I apologize if I did!

Dan Delavan
 
Dan,
Thanks for the post. Thank you for everything you have done for the knife community.
Your store is going to be missed.
Respect
 
Sad to hear this Dan, but I am excited for your future and will always support you guys! I will stop in soon to buy a knife and say hi! I’ll always treasure my mammoth-dama sebenza that you let me pay off on layaway for months.
Best,
Sam

Dan Delavan said:
I know there is a lot of speculation why we are closing so will let you all know. Also I have signed up as a dealer on Blade Forums again.

Time has caught up with Russ and I. Knees are going and time is going by, like 44 years! If we are ever to do anything else we need to do it now.

South Coast Plaza has treated us like family. We have not paid the going rate in the center as they know our merchandise does not have the profit in it that cloths and jewelry has. But they like us and Skip in leasing asked me three times as did the family who owns the center to reconsider. I have the feeling if I asked for a rent reduction they would have done it. But its just time. 44 years is a long run.

I will continue to sell online Randall, Rockstead, Reeve, Lambert and others knives but just not as much and should be more price competitive without having the overhead.
Russ will also be setting up for sharpening.

Stock will be blown out starting Saturday in store and online.

Hope I did not upset management with this post. I apologize if I did!

Dan Delavan
Click to expand...
 
Has been an interesting couple of weeks.

A lot of people in the shop and a lot of shocked people that see we are closing. Most people understand 44 years is a long run and life does not have an experation date and we all have to decide when it's time. But the support and senserity of apprecation has been over whelming from the knife people to the people that rely on us for shears and minor repairs as well as just seeing something other then fashion which South Coast Plaza is known for. We will close the doors a week from tomorrow. The barrier will be up on the morning of the 29Th and that will be a weird sight.

If things workout Dennis will be taking our show cases back to Arizona and they Wil bein the Dawson Knives showroom. The Stiderdoor handles will be going up for auction this week as well as the electricSwiss Army knife that has been in our window for 40 years.

Come by this week if in the area if you can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top