Forging ahead after fire
GROVE CITY — Wendell August Forge was still smoldering Monday afternoon from Saturday's crippling fire, but already owner and company president Will Knecht and residents anticipate a swift return of the business.
Knecht and business sales representative Christian Werner have met with Mayor Randy Riddle to formulate a strategy for rebuilding the business at the same site on Madison Avenue, Werner said Monday.
"We want to make the forge better than it ever was," Werner said. "This is a part of Grove City and the region."
While the loss of the forge is a tragedy, Werner sees it as an opportunity to create a new showroom that will be the face of Wendell August for the next 100 years.
The new building will have a full-fledged working forge, a history center, and the main production facility, Werner said.
Knecht said, "We hope to rebuild it, maintaining the craftsmanship and old world flavor it's known for."
While planning has just begun, Werner expects the new building will use many of the historic elements of the 1932 design, including some of the original stonework.
Residents on Madison Avenue are looking for the speedy return of the forge that has been their neighbor for 78 years."It's the only thing older than I am in Grove City," said Harry Lutton, 82, who has lived two doors down from the forge for 20 years.Lutton was driving back from Mercer on Saturday when he saw the black plume of smoke rising up from his neighborhood. When he reached Madison Avenue, the street was lined with fire trucks and police vehicles from 21 departments.He, like most residents in the immediate vicinity, had to walk to his home that day because much of the street was closed to the public.More than 100 volunteer firefighters struggled to control the blaze from about 1:30 to 10:30 p.m. They were constantly refueled with coffee, doughnuts and other food from McDonald's and from community members."A lot of people were out delivering pizza and water to firemen throughout the day," said Madison Avenue resident George Perry.The continued support from the community and the positive attitude of the forge's employees should help carry the Grove City hallmark through this tragedy. Luke Vechnak of Madison Avenue thinks the fire will be better for business in the long run."If (the forge) shut down, it would be a big loss, but I think more people will frequent it once it's rebuilt," he said. "Sometimes you just don't appreciate it until its gone."The destruction has brought many customers and community members to the store at the Prime Outlets, which is outside the borough. Many are stopping by to show their support.Retail store manager Karen Anderson said of the increased traffic in the store, "It's been a tremendous outpouring of support, love, prayers and best wishes."
She said Monday afternoon that in the past 48 hours the company's Web site, www.wendellaugust.com, received more than 3,000 hits and nearly 1,000 new fans have been added to its Facebook page.Knecht described the show of support as humbling, and he said it strengthens the company's resolve to rebuild quickly."It shows that this was more than just a business. It became a part of the community," he said Monday afternoon.Knecht said that the company hopes to have the Grove City workshop operational by the end of the week so the business can return to "keeping American craftsmanship alive."Both Knecht and Anderson want to assure customers that the fire is only a temporary setback, and both say Wendell August will be stronger in the future.During the rebuilding process, the company plans to open a storefront in Grove City until the forge is reopened completely.The fire has also had an impact on the Grove City business community.Beth Black, executive director of the Grove City Chamber of Commerce, said, "The entire community is saddened by the loss, but we are encouraged by the tenacity of the company."She said, "Everyone has either worked there, known someone who's worked there, or gone there to buy the perfect personalized gift."Paula R. Louise, an employee at Daffin's Candies in downtown Grove City, echoed Black's comments.She said, "It's a tragedy because it was a landmark of Grove City. It's just devastating to the town."Louise, Black, and some customers leaving the Wendell August store all said they hope the company can rebuild quickly and continue as a Grove City landmark.
