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Modernica is closin...
 

Modernica is closing NYC and Chicago showrooms!  

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donsof
(@donsof)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 185
14/10/2007 9:10 am  

Hi all
Its a sad day for a quality manufacturer. Modernica is going to scale back on the very expensive showrooms in New York and Chicago. There are several reasons this happened, care to speculate? LA will continue the web business, and the showroom out west.

Its also a good time to buy bubble lamps and anything these stores stock. I just came back with another Eames type, storage unit, and a cigar wall lamp. Lots of good closeout buys.


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brbeard
(@brbeard)
Noble Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 282
14/10/2007 11:35 am  

Hmm, I live in Chicago, but...
Hmm, I live in Chicago, but have never been to the store. Perhaps I should make a trip -- how much were your two items discounted?


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whitespike
(@whitespike)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 3499
14/10/2007 11:58 am  

Well I want a dowel base....
Well I want a dowel base. Any chance you know what they're going for? Any chance someone could pick one up for me? I'm in Austin. No way I could make it!


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LRF
 LRF
(@lrf)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2967
14/10/2007 6:28 pm  

modernica
I could not find the thread but the owner said he closed NYC cause it cost over 30,000 a month in Soho
he apologized for all the rude people who worked for him in NYC
they were going to focus on the LA store so it does not surprise me the Chicago store would close


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donsof
(@donsof)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 185
14/10/2007 8:16 pm  

Hi all
Bubble lamps were...
Hi all
Bubble lamps were 50 percent off! At least the stores display unit was. I got the 420 storage unit for 900 after taxes. They were also discounting books around 25 percent or so. I saw several bases and a pile of arm shell chairs available, but didn't price them. Many of the bases I saw were marked sold. There were outdoor seating pieces unsold, split rail chairs (like the parallel bar from Knoll), slice chairs, and other goodies too numerous to mention.
There was a lot of activity, lots of items marked sold, and some items may take longer to sell. Most of the storage units were sold. They had some of the walnut finish ESU/CSU shelves left (not so hot). I think one classic finish, CSU in 320 height was still available.
There was a target of 28 october, to close down completely.


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LRF
 LRF
(@lrf)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2967
14/10/2007 8:45 pm  

thanks for the progress re...
thanks for the progress report Don
glad you were able to get some good deals .
I own the big saucer bubble lamp and it hangs in our stairwell and it is great.
the company does a great job with those lamps,
any reason for them closing the doors in Chicago?


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barrympls
(@barrympls)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2649
15/10/2007 3:30 am  

Going to close NYC on 10/14/07....NOT
I was in NYC in June, 2007 and the Modernica store in Solo New york was already closed.


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LRF
 LRF
(@lrf)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2967
15/10/2007 4:00 am  

they say they closed nyc i...
they say they closed nyc in may


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whitespike
(@whitespike)
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Posts: 3499
15/10/2007 4:46 am  

seriously
If someone could help me get a deal on the maple colored dowel base it would be much appreciated. I've been a member here a long time ... I can be trusted!


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barrympls
(@barrympls)
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Posts: 2649
15/10/2007 5:34 am  

closing stores
I realize how expensive it is to maintain a store that's more publicity than sales, like down in Soho, but heck, being visible is awfully important too.
Here's in Minneapolis - home of Blu Dot they do not have a single outlet who sells their stuff...even tho the company located here! That's really stupid because nobody in this metro of over 1,000,000 people have ever heard of Blu Dot!
So....if Modernica chooses to cut back on their own stores, then they sure as hell better create the world's best, most informative website...which they have not done.


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whitespike
(@whitespike)
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Posts: 3499
15/10/2007 5:52 am  

I agree
The website (and catalog for that matter) has little to be desired. Their photographs do not do the products justice.


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LRF
 LRF
(@lrf)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2967
15/10/2007 6:23 am  

I have dealt with them m...
I have dealt with them many times in LA and to be honest they are not great to do business with ,
They had the most awful reputation in NYC for there rudeness.
That the owner apologized to all who bought from them,
They make good products they need to work on customer service and salespeople and they should ask each person that works for them do you really want to be here or do you want to be somewhere else, cause a lot of them act that way.


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LRF
 LRF
(@lrf)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2967
15/10/2007 6:31 am  

on another point as bad ...
on another point as bad as Modernica people were/are you be the judge
DWR salespeople go over board to help you, if you say i like the way that looks they will run to get you a price and tell you if it is stock, They really try at those stores I think they know that the company is having a tough time so they really try to help the company out and makes the sales, Something Modernica in NYC could have cared less. I still find that the most laughable salespeople i have ever run in to,
The boss must be real smart for pulling the plug on that looser of a store. or dumb for letting it get like that, sad any way you size it up.


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donsof
(@donsof)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 185
16/10/2007 7:13 am  

Hi all
I thought about why...
Hi all
I thought about why they could be closing such a store front, in the city that claims to be the birthplace of modern, and had a couple of theories. One is that the cheap knockoff stuff from China, was digging into sales of the higher quality stuff Modernica puts out. I see more MCM things in every movie and commercial these days. Maybe its gone so mainstream, that the competition is ramping up? So maybe its the Wallmart factor, where cheap wins out.
Then someone else told me that DWR took a bite of their market, as they have that slick mailing list, more showrooms, and blow more smoke than coal burning locomotive! They are a pure distribution company.
I will have to agree that Modernica (Chicago) was not staffed with the most eager beaver sales people. However, I only met 3 of the sales people, and don't feel I can slam all of them. Maybe the attitude is "our product speaks for themselves" and "we don't have to brag them up". Which I believe is true. They build great quality stuff, and pay attention to the details. I will endure sub standard service to get a quality product, If the deal gets completed, I don't worry about the one salesperson that didn't smooch my behind.
For me, the experience of Chicago Modernica, was solid gold. I live in the sticks, a trip into their showroom was wonderful. All those beautiful products to see, touch, and drool over. I like vintage and all, but the products they make are the good and rare items, that were also fine design. The collection of books they offer is worth the trip alone. Grab that Craig Ellwood book and head for the Ox chair! Unbeatable!


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LRF
 LRF
(@lrf)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2967
16/10/2007 7:47 am  

Don
I see more MCM things in every movie and commercial these days. Maybe its gone so mainstream, that the competition is ramping up? So maybe its the Wallmart factor,
This may be a true statement sad but true, When my house was photographed for a local magazine the professional photographer ask me if she could summit her photos,
my house to several national magazines, of course I was thrilled !! only to be short lived , to feel like i got my 2nd rejection notice from Harvard.
I did the gutsy thing and called the editor of El Decor to ask why she did not like my home in favor of Wayne and Brian's home, she came right out and said we feel MCM is being somewhat overplayed right now and we are 18 months out on our publication so with your color selection and all the MCM furniture we might be on to another look by then,
I sucked it up and said .....o.k. MCM has only be in for 50 years trust me honey it aint going anywhere!!! (and your magazine is beginning to suck) end of story,


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