January 10, 2012 | 09:29 AM
Crystal Cave owner Josef Puehringer said his company had a good day Monday, Jan. 9. Yet, only a handful of patrons walked through his downtown Wilmette shop.
And that's why he's leaving and taking the Crystal Cave with him.
On that day, as its been the past four years, Puehringer's corporate sales reps roped buyers while the retail shop stayed quiet. Puehringer said he's seen enough, opting to shut down his shop on Central and Wilmette avenues by April 1, and open a corporate showroom and workshop in Glenview.
"We're going nuts here," the owner said pointing to all the unsold merchandise on his shelves.
Puehringer first opened the Crystal Cave in Wilmette in 1970. In his unique, crystal engraving shop, Puehringer saw decades of positive business before the recent economic swoon.
A walk through his mutli-room business shows just what he's talking about. On shelves in a rear storage room sit dozens of boxes of glass items repaired by the Crystal Cave, but never picked up by their owners.
The boxes date back to 2006.
"People didn't pick up the items they put in for repair," he said. "We'd call and didn't know if they were out of town, if they disappeared. They just didn't have the money to pay.
"I always had to work hard. It was never easy, but I always made a decent living."
As for his team's craftsmanship, engraved crystal that took hours to produce collected dust on the shelves as cheaper knock-offs sold for a dime a dozen at gas stations and box stores across the country.
Truth is, Puehringer lost hope in the retail side of engraving years ago, but just now decided enough is enough.
The new Glenview shop will focus on the corporate side of the business, which has been driving Crystal Cave for years.
"For us, [the change] will be a dream," he said. "When we get into the new place, it'll be so much easier and more professional."
While Puehringer said the town of Wilmette has been "very good" to him, he knows it's time to move on, not only to save his business, but to save his professional self.
At the heart of the Crystal Cave has always been the work and creativity of Puehringer, whose methods have revolutionized the industry.
Once the Glenview workshop opens, the artist can worry less about making items fly off his shelves and more about creation.
"I can't wait. I love design," he said. "Once retail is gone, I can start creating again."
Until that time, however, Puehringer is hoping for a retail surge as everything in his store is going on sale until final closing March 15.
Many items in the store can be purchased 50 percent off, including Marcoline crystal art glass, art glass made in Italy, cut crystal bowls and vases, and even exclusive art made by Puehringer himself.
All other merchandise is discounted 20 percent, and Christmas items 60 percent.
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