World of Tile — liquidation sale — going out of business — closing — The End — or so it seems
pam kueber - Updated: August 18, 2021
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
This weekend, I received confirmation from a reader who’s been to the liquidation sale, twice: Yes, World of Tile — our beloved time capsule tile store — chock full of New Old Stock going back to the 1960s — seems to be in the midst of closing. Currently, there is a big closeout of all stock going on — 80% off, Marie says, and you can wander throughout the cavernous structure to hunt treasure in every nook and cranny. I do love me a time capsule liquidation sale — and this may be one unlike any other — but even so, please say it ain’t so. Alas. Lovely photo of World of Tile’s classic 1960s sign courtesy Tony Zarak on flickr and professionally here (link now gone).
Me, amazed in the basement in 2011…. the New York Times was with me on this, my first visit…
Marie wrote to me on Saturday:
Thanks to you, I discovered World of Tile in Springfield, New Jersey.
Sadly today, I discovered it was sold and in liquidation.
Marie took these photos at the liquidation sale on Sunday — she went back a second time over the weekend.
Yes. I went to the store today. It was so sad. Liquidator service is there. No one in charge really. [Marie had some info from the folks on site about what had occurred to lead to the liquidation sale, but I do not feel comfortable publishing this.]
Right now every room is open to the public to roam and select things and pay for it in cash. So, those wonderful black ceramic bathroom fixtures she used to sell for $30 are going for $5. Boxes of 50 tiles – $8/box. There is room upon room of tile and you just make a deal for it. Very good deals indeed, I’m sorry to say.
But for your readers, if they go (with a mask and a flashlight-it’s dusty), the gigantic caverns are theres to explore and find treasures! You can go upstairs, downstairs, basement and the rooms in the warehouse. Crazy!
Marie
In the cavernous basement. It’s like that federal warehouse at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark….
Thank you, Marie!
Update: I spoke with Marie this morning — she added that on-site liquidators told her that the sale is expected to continue for about two weeks.
I had received hints of this news from a few other readers, but could not confirm what was going on. As of early last week, at least, the phone number was disconnected. My emails were not returned. I then began trying to reach a friend nearby to see if she could drive over to see if I could get some sort of official information on the situation. While I was trying to find out something definitive, I didn’t want to jump the gun with a speculative story. But now, we have Marie’s on-site report. So here’s the story, as much as I know.
The “Mosaics Room”Chippy, when the New York Times visited with me.Nicky and Jason (Jason in this photo) were the ones to discover World of Tile and report their find to Retro Renovation, so’s we could share it with retroworld. Everlasting gobstopper thanks to you, Nicky and Jason!
World of Tile — the single most important discovery on Retro Renovation ever
Yikes, I have things going on today and tomorrow. But if I can confirm that doors are open on Wednesday… and if I can steel myself for the three-hour drive (each way, ugh), I might drive down to World of Tile with a camera and video camera and a big wad of cash for one last visit … and one final report.
Very sad! Last summer, I intended to stop there on the way to Hyde Park, NY because it was in the vicinity of a repair shop that specialized in small appliance repair, especially USA made Farberware appliances. Sadly, the shop decided to specialize in high end espresso machine sales and service so no trip to WOT. I have a bath in need of serious do-over when funds allow.
Pam, no contact with Chippy? Wonder if family members decided to sell the property. Real estate = $$. Maybe it’s an attempt to downsize the business.
Ricksays
Pam, you need to go; with someone, with a handcart, with a van (& with care for your arm). Maybe sad at the time, but later on it will be sadder if you missed a final opportunity. And of course, take photos.
Mary Elizabethsays
So sad, Pam. I think we all thought they would go on forever. I had it on my wish list to replace all the gray and pink plastic tile with vintage ceramic some day. But never fear. There will be sources. It’s the owners I feel sorry for. They seemed so nice and cooperative from what everybody said. Have a nice road trip and give our regards (from all those who frequent this site).
Roundhouse Sarahsays
It would take me 23 hours to drive there. See? Now 3 hours doesn’t sound so bad anymore lol. I’ve been saying that anytime I make I trip to that area I will have to go to world of tile but alas that day will never come. Go if you can!
Andisays
Oh, sad news indeed. I journeyed to World of Tile after learning about it here. Although I was only able to find one of the tiles I was in search of (literally, one tile was all they had) I loved the place and got a great deal of useful information from the employees about my search such as the age of the two sample tiles I’d brought along, a more-available modern “almost the same” equivalent, etc.
They were incredibly helpful, even though they knew I lived four hours away and wouldn’t be making any significant purchases from them.
The shop itself was almost a “museum-worthy” experience, a slice of life—a big slice!—from another time. It made me wish I were building several new bathrooms and kitchens in my house so that I could buy and use some of the cool stuff I spotted.
Now…at those prices, I wish even more that I needed a roomful of tile.
Very sad to see it go. I’ll be very interested to learn what happened.
Jean5says
NOOOO!! Three weeks ago I sent three different field tile samples that I need matched for my 1955 original bathrooms!!! Now where do I go for a yellowy-green, powder blue, and peachy tan??
oh no! My heart is heavy any time I see one of these legacy businesses depart this mortal coil, leaving the world a little less interesting and a lot more generic. It ‘s not surprising with Retro Roadmap that I’ll get more of these messages than I’d like to (since my key spot is authentic vintage places) but seeing how this crosses over just bums me out.
We have a vintage bathroom with aqua/seafoam tiles – some of which are cracked – I’m now tempted to make the drive myself to see if they have any of the same color we could use as replacements.
Thanks for spreading the word, Pam, and sorry for all of our collective loss.
midmichigansays
It’s definitely sad to see this great source fade away. It seems like more and more brick and mortar tile places are going on the “endangered species” list; hopefully, this isn’t a lasting trend. We had a few around my neck of the woods and they all folded too, so now only the big box stores and online is available. That’s why this fine site’s archives and resources are so important! Thank you, Pam.
Johnsays
Hi Pam,
Very sad news indeed. On a similar note, I stopped into the two floor consignment store on Market street in Northampton and found they are closing for good as of December 20th!! I had purchased many wonderful retro items there in the past.
This weekend, I received confirmation from a reader who’s been to the liquidation sale, twice: Yes, World of Tile — our beloved time capsule tile store — chock full of New Old Stock going back to the 1960s — seems to be in the midst of closing. Currently, there is a big closeout of all stock going on — 80% off, Marie says, and you can wander throughout the cavernous structure to hunt treasure in every nook and cranny. I do love me a time capsule liquidation sale — and this may be one unlike any other — but even so, please say it ain’t so. Alas. Lovely photo of World of Tile’s classic 1960s sign courtesy Tony Zarak on flickr and professionally here (link now gone).
Right now every room is open to the public to roam and select things and pay for it in cash. So, those wonderful black ceramic bathroom fixtures she used to sell for $30 are going for $5. Boxes of 50 tiles – $8/box. There is room upon room of tile and you just make a deal for it. Very good deals indeed, I’m sorry to say.
Yikes, I have things going on today and tomorrow. But if I can confirm that doors are open on Wednesday… and if I can steel myself for the three-hour drive (each way, ugh), I might drive down to World of Tile with a camera and video camera and a big wad of cash for one last visit … and one final report.
Steve says
Well i have my plans for the day
Jay says
Very sad! Last summer, I intended to stop there on the way to Hyde Park, NY because it was in the vicinity of a repair shop that specialized in small appliance repair, especially USA made Farberware appliances. Sadly, the shop decided to specialize in high end espresso machine sales and service so no trip to WOT. I have a bath in need of serious do-over when funds allow.
Pam, no contact with Chippy? Wonder if family members decided to sell the property. Real estate = $$. Maybe it’s an attempt to downsize the business.
Rick says
Pam, you need to go; with someone, with a handcart, with a van (& with care for your arm). Maybe sad at the time, but later on it will be sadder if you missed a final opportunity. And of course, take photos.
Mary Elizabeth says
So sad, Pam. I think we all thought they would go on forever. I had it on my wish list to replace all the gray and pink plastic tile with vintage ceramic some day. But never fear. There will be sources. It’s the owners I feel sorry for. They seemed so nice and cooperative from what everybody said. Have a nice road trip and give our regards (from all those who frequent this site).
Roundhouse Sarah says
It would take me 23 hours to drive there. See? Now 3 hours doesn’t sound so bad anymore lol. I’ve been saying that anytime I make I trip to that area I will have to go to world of tile but alas that day will never come. Go if you can!
Andi says
Oh, sad news indeed. I journeyed to World of Tile after learning about it here. Although I was only able to find one of the tiles I was in search of (literally, one tile was all they had) I loved the place and got a great deal of useful information from the employees about my search such as the age of the two sample tiles I’d brought along, a more-available modern “almost the same” equivalent, etc.
They were incredibly helpful, even though they knew I lived four hours away and wouldn’t be making any significant purchases from them.
The shop itself was almost a “museum-worthy” experience, a slice of life—a big slice!—from another time. It made me wish I were building several new bathrooms and kitchens in my house so that I could buy and use some of the cool stuff I spotted.
Now…at those prices, I wish even more that I needed a roomful of tile.
Very sad to see it go. I’ll be very interested to learn what happened.
Jean5 says
NOOOO!! Three weeks ago I sent three different field tile samples that I need matched for my 1955 original bathrooms!!! Now where do I go for a yellowy-green, powder blue, and peachy tan??
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com says
oh no! My heart is heavy any time I see one of these legacy businesses depart this mortal coil, leaving the world a little less interesting and a lot more generic. It ‘s not surprising with Retro Roadmap that I’ll get more of these messages than I’d like to (since my key spot is authentic vintage places) but seeing how this crosses over just bums me out.
We have a vintage bathroom with aqua/seafoam tiles – some of which are cracked – I’m now tempted to make the drive myself to see if they have any of the same color we could use as replacements.
Thanks for spreading the word, Pam, and sorry for all of our collective loss.
midmichigan says
It’s definitely sad to see this great source fade away. It seems like more and more brick and mortar tile places are going on the “endangered species” list; hopefully, this isn’t a lasting trend. We had a few around my neck of the woods and they all folded too, so now only the big box stores and online is available. That’s why this fine site’s archives and resources are so important! Thank you, Pam.
John says
Hi Pam,
Very sad news indeed. On a similar note, I stopped into the two floor consignment store on Market street in Northampton and found they are closing for good as of December 20th!! I had purchased many wonderful retro items there in the past.
AtomicHipster