Rockler University Grand Opening on September 28th
All New "Rockler University" -- for How-To Classes & Product Demos -- Ratchets Up the DIY Focus on Customer Learning and Home Improvement in New National Flagship Store in Maplewood
TWIN CITIES -- September 5, 2013 -- The Do It Yourself (DIY) home improvement pro, master craftsmen or beginning hobbyist can now get it all done a lot faster, more efficiently and with more learning resources and product lines at one of the nation's leading DIY stores, the family-owned Rockler Woodworking and Hardware** with a new, completely customer-centric flagship store in Maplewood with nearly 11,000 sq. ft.
On September 28, 2013, the Grand Opening of Rockler's latest and largest-ever Woodworking and Hardware store (1872 Beam Ave Maplewood, MN 55109; 651- 773-5285) -- and its 29th nationally -- will take place with a flurry of events for young and old, including a 9:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting with the Mayor of Maplewood, Mayor Will Rossbach and Rockler President and CEO Ann Jackson -- plus door prizes, refreshments and special guests throughout the day!
Store Hours for the new flagship facility are: 9-7 Monday-Friday; 9-6 Saturday; 11-4 Sunday
A Fun and Informative Day Packed with Demos, Classes and Factory Reps In the New Rocker University -- Plus Discover 25% More Products
- Learn all about turning wood with factory representatives from Sorby, an English wood turning tool manufacturer. Plus, see a special bowl turning demo.
- Learn how an affordable CNC machine can transform a home shop or small business.
- Learn how to select the right power tool and what features to look for from factory reps from Porter Cable, DeWalt and Bosch.
- Learn how selecting the right blade or bit in your saw or router can make the difference in your next woodworking project.
- Discover a 25% increase in new product lines -- plus the hundreds best-selling woodworking and hardware items, including the company's own Rockler Innovation lines.
First looks at the store's New Categories that include Finishing Sprayers, expanded ShopVac products, industrial saws, environmentally-friendly gels, an expanded line of router bits, turning tools, power tools, lumber, garage/shop organization and more.
Meet and join special guest Rob Johnstone*, Editor-in-Chief of the ever-popular Woodworkers Journal, making a guest appearance and doing four separate demos (See Demos below) at 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the store's new glass-enclosed Rockler University, where ongoing product demos and classes of all types will take place on a regularly scheduled basis.
Demo #1 Tapering a table leg on a jointer. Rob will show a couple of different options about how to shape a tapered leg using only a jointer, an unusual technique. Tools required: full-size jointer, and a table saw.
Demo #2 Applying dye to close grained wood like maple. Rob will talk about and demonstrate the difference between an oil stain and a dye on maple and how to remove the dye color with bleach and also talk about the grain- raising qualities of water-based products. Tools required: work bench with a protective sheet of some kind. This is a technique in the Finishing DVD that he's also featured often in nearly every magazine.
Demo #3 Getting usable wood out of a distorted piece of lumber. Rob will show the proper procedure and talk about the tricks that will save the most wood with the least waste. Tools required: Full-size jointer, planer and chop saw, tips featured in the Way To Woodwork DVDs
Demo #4 Make your own plywood. A hands-on technique illustrating how to use a core piece of plywood and apply decorative veneer with an iron and white glue, then bake in solid-wood edges and shape the edges. Tools required: a household iron, and a router table with an edging bit set up in it.
ROCKER'S LARGEST, MOST AMBITIOUS AND CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY STORE YET!
"Our most customer-focused new facility is also Rockler's largest and most ambitious store yet in our 59-year-old history and of all our stores in the country," says Ann Rockler Jackson, President and CEO of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. "Whether you' are a young person just starting to explore woodworking as a hobby, or a master craftsman or craftswoman, or just someone who loves and lives the DIY ethic, this store is designed for you -- based on your suggestions. The well-marked spacious aisles, enhanced signage and layout, plus our new Rockler University center, will help give customers even more product choices, personalized service and rewarding educational experiences."
"With the Grand Opening of the new Maplewood store, Rockler has reached another historic milestone," adds Glenn Snyder, Retail Merchandising Director. "While we have plenty of exciting new products like the Minnesota-made Man Bench for a guy's Man Cave to the new, compact 14-foot Telesteps ladder, we will continue to feature our own innovative thinking and products exclusively branded by Rockler, plus top performing items, too, including:
- Bench Cookies and Bench Cookie accessories
- Glue Tool and Glue Tool accessories
- Clamp-it Assembly Square
- Tool Chest kits
- Rare and exotic hardwoods along with popular hardware
- Plus literally hundreds of other items targeting the DIY, furniture and hobby markets.