Wahh! Kitchen Etc. is going out of business!

[HRJ]

Sad news, New Englanders -- Kitchen Etc. is going out of business, closing all its stores. :( (Maybe that's old news, but I only found out about it on Wednesday, when I happened to be driving by the Burlington store.)

Don't know about anyone else, but I loved that store -- spent a lot of happy hours browsing there. Didn't have the atmosphere of Williams-Sonoma or some other upscale places, but it had the absolute best selection of kitchen tools and cookware I've ever seen in one place. The prices, while not tremendous bargains, weren't bad. I'd always wanted to take one of their "Kitchen University" classes, but never got around to it.

They are having a closeout sale, so just wanted to alert folks in case anyone's looking for a few bargains. And, all cookbooks are 25 percent off, which, combined with their regularly discounted prices, isn't bad. I have to admit I went a little beserk in the cookbook aisle. (It's a sickness :o )


So -- excepting W-S and Crate and Barrel, which are too pricey, IMHO, for everyday excursions, where can a kitchen-junkie get her fix now in the Boston area? Am I doomed forever to wander the aisles of Target? (I know there's a kitchen shop somewhere on Newbury Street -- forget the name -- but that's too pricey, too, IMHO.)


Helene

[Gracie]

Helene - there's an awesome kitchen store tucked away in a corner of the Cambridgeside Galleria Mall. It's small and hard to find (I forget what floor it's on) but they have a ton of esoteric stuff that's really fun to browse.

Although I agree with you that for affordableness we may be stuck with Target and even W-S doesn't have the selection that Kitchen Etc did.

I'm going to wait another week or so till the prices go down a bit more.

Loren

[donnamp14]

You're right- there's no middle ground in foodie stores around here. I have recently been to Sur La Table in the Chestnut Hill Mall. It's gorgeous, lovely, wonderful, fun, and over-abundantly expensive! Then there's Target. Nothing in between.

[ccooney]

The Linens 'N' Things here in Concord is certainly not as well stocked as Kitchens Etc., but they do have a fairly good selection of stuff. Again, it's more like shopping at Target, but better than nothing.

[Alethea]

Oh gosh, I didn't know this either. I'll definitely miss the store. Bed, Bath, and Beyond can sometimes have a decent kitchen section. At least the one I visited in Natick did.

[purplefishy]

Do you know if Kithcens Etc. is closing stores countrywide or just in Boston? I love that store and it would definitely be a shame. I wonder if they will keep their web business which is great as well. I'll have to investigate . . .

[hrk]

Well the one here in Rockville Maryland is closing as well, so I suspect it may be at least an east coast thing if not nationwide. I too am waiting a little while to see if the deals get better.:D

[cangoss]

I saw a posting on eGullet about this - the whole business went belly up.

We stopped at the outlet mall in Wrentham MA on our way to Cape Cod and I was drooling in the Kitchen Collection store there, as well as the W-S Outlet. Not sure how far it is from you, but it might be worth a day trip.



(edited to correct location, thanks Gracie!)

[bobmark226]

Originally posted by HRJ
Sad news, New Englanders -- Kitchen Etc. is going out of business, closing all its stores. :( (Maybe that's old news, but I only found out about it on Wednesday, when I happened to be driving by the Burlington store.)


I think they started to close down the Burlington one last fall, because when we were there, it was obvious they were clearing the shelves and not restocking and we picked up a couple reduced odds and ends at the time. Of course, Burlington now has a W-S of its own, so all those hippie types that abound there will still have someplace to shop. ;)

It was a decent enough store and I've picked up odds and ends there, but it was pretty charmless and lacking in character, so I can't say as I had any affection for it.

BOB

[Gracie]

Originally posted by cangoss
I saw a posting on eGullet about this - the whole business went belly up.

We stopped at the outlet mall in Waltham MA on our way to Cape Cod and I was drooling in the Kitchen Collection store there, as well as the W-S Outlet. Not sure how far it is from you, but it might be worth a day trip.

I'm 99% sure that Candace means the outlet malls in Wrentham, MA, for anyone else who, like me, suddenly thought Waltham had something going for it!! :D

Loren

[waltnj]

I think the outlets you are referring to are actually in Wrentham, MA. There are a few great kitchen stores there. Williams-Sonoma (and Pottery Barn) outlet, le Gourmet..., Le Creuset, and a couple others that call out to me. The Le Gourmet Chef (or something like that) is really good, all kinds of stuff including different sauces and oils. It is a trek from Boston but it can be worth the trip.

[Searcher]

This is disappointing. I love Kitchen Etc, we visit the one in West Hartford, about 20 or so minutes away. Everytime I was searching for a new gadget they'd have it.
I did notice that they didn't seem to have the amount of things I'd become accustomed to but the store was full.
I will miss them, there's nowhere else to go for gadgets that's not in the WS price range. :(

[luv2dance]

I think she meant Wrentham also...cuz I'm from Waltham MA and I was very excited to think I had outlets to shop at!! heeee

I'm very very sad about Kitchen Etc. I had a gift certicate left over from my bridal shower and I just used it to buy a Kitchen Aid Coffee Mill/Grinder...which is awesome. I was hoping to also pick up another couple of settings of my china cheap.

[Gracie]

Originally posted by luv2dance
I think she meant Wrentham also...cuz I'm from Waltham MA and I was very excited to think I had outlets to shop at!! heeee



Sorry about that - I didn't mean to diss Waltham that much. I worked there for 7 years and the only good thing I ever found within the city limits was B&F Pizza, Salads and Subs on Lake Street - the most awesome salad dressing I have ever had bar none. They won't sell it by itself - I asked. Nor can I recreate it.

Loren

[klrickrode]

I'm from NH and Kitchen, Etc. is also closing their doors, unfortunately. I was just there last night and everything is still 10% off, but don't hold off any longer if you want something in particular. I had been eyeing a cast iron skillet the other week, and there were a ton of them, and last night - all gone. :mad:

Anyone know where you can find a Lodge skillet pre-seasoned? With Kitchen Etc. going out, that leaves LNT & Bed, Bath & Beyond, can I say not much.

How disappointing - I just loved Kitchen Etc.! :mad:

[HRJ]

Yes, I think it's all the stores. When I first saw the "Going out of Business" sign at the Burlington store, I figured, "oh well, I can always go to Fresh Ponds." But the salesman at Burlington told me it was all the stores. I didn't realize they had any beyond New England. :o

(BTW, Bob, I was talking about Burlington, Mass -- I think you're referring to Burlington Vt. -- don't think the Burlington around here has too many hippie types -- it's mostly soccer mom territory ;) ).

Anyway, I asked the salesguy why the stores were closing. His reply: "We're a victim of corporate rape."

Loren, I was thinking of waiting until prices went down more, but the selection was getting pretty low, so I bought some stuff that I really wanted, and figured I'd go back again and see if there were any drop-dead bargains.

Yes, the Wrentham outlet malls have some good kitchen places -- I love the Le Creuset outlet -- but it's too far to go to just pick up a couple of items.

Should mention, though, that for cookbooks, nothing beats New England Mobile Bookfair in Newton. Talk about heaven. :)

For Lodge pre-seasoned skillets -- I actually got mine from Amazon. Not a bad deal as long as you get free shipping (those things weigh a ton!)


Helene

[cangoss]

Sorry to have created so much confusion! Shows you how well I know MA... It was Wrentham.

[Rita D]

Looks as if the whole company is closing:

http://www.kitchenetc.com/

[tigermorris]

I was in the store in Rockville, MD a few days ago. A salesperson told me the store will close in about 6-8 weeks or whenever they sell all the inventory.

There's quite a bit right now.

[CindyWeightWatcher]

Thanks for posting this Helene...I didn't know they are going
out of business. The only good side of this is that maybe
they'll be a few bargains to be snapped up!

[HejazSunKat]

Does anybody have an idea exactly when the doors are going to slam closed? I'm not getting home until August 24th and would love to get in on the bargains. Can't really think of anything I need at the moment but I'm sure once I got in there I could turn that around.

That is a bummer about them closing. :(

[HRJ]

Linda, it sounds like they don't have an exact closing date yet. If you think of anything that you'd really want to have, let me know and I'll look for it.

Helene