GROVE CITY — The Wendell August Forge Co. is getting its temporary location ready as it rebuilds from a fire Saturday that destroyed its manufacturing building. Operations manager Jeff Brown Thursday afternoon used the first ceremonial "first hammer" at the company's temporary location at 390 Lincoln Ave. for a new die. "Today we begin a new chapter," said owner Will Knecht. The forge's 25,000-square-foot building burned Saturday afternoon. He spoke passionately about the Grove City tradition of the business that will live on. The company has already set up a temporary workshop using old equipment the forge never managed to sell. About 500 of the original dies have been reclaimed, with about 3,000 more waiting to be cleaned, Knecht said. Employees, families, and Grove City Mayor Randy Riddle all gathered to watch. Workers will have plenty to do over the next few days to get the production facility and the office space ready for Monday. The company is finalizing plans for a temporary retail space in Grove City it hopes to open by April 1. The company hopes to begin rebuilding at the site of the former building on Madison Avenue. Knecht thanked residents and customers from around the world who showed their support. "We owe it to the folks here and all around the world to get going again," he said.
