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.
Pam-
This is so sad. If you do plan on going Wednesday please let us know & maybe we can do a RR meet up? I am 3 hours south of WOT & may make my husband drive up there with me. We are not close to being ready for our master bath remodel but these prices might make it worth it.
Pennesays
I’m kicking myself right now. For two years I’ve been meaning to contact World of Tile. I need about four medium blue bullnose for my bathroom. The rest of the 1949 tile is perfect, but someone removed these pieces to put in an ugly 1990s medicine cabinet/mirror. Lesson learned. I’ve done some crazy, expensive things, but I don’t think I could travel to New Jersey right now for four pieces of tile.
Jeffsays
Such tragic news. I’m curious as to what hours and days they are going to be open during the liquidation. I have been wanting to go for months. And I’m from North Carolina. I just might…
Scottsays
Quite depressing, I hate to see places like this go out of business. And I wish I’d known things were tapering off so severely for them before it had come to this point, I’d know I’d have accelerated by bathroom project accordingly. I have a feeling I’m not the only RetroRenovationer that feels the same way. Sigh.
Victoria soudersays
ok. I’m having an anxiety attack. Can’t someone buy existing stock? Are they really going to throw it in dumpster. I live to far to get up there quick. Help!!! My 1958 pale yellow and sea foamy greenish color bathroom needs help. Oh my. I need medication.
Sherrisays
I have a bunch of 4×4 pale yellow never used tiles. If you want to see them call me 973.454.8069
Kerstensays
NOOOOO! Like Sam R., I’ve been dragging my feet too! Been meaning to send a towel bar end in for months to get a replacement. With all those tiles, I thought I had years to plan a trip to visit such a unique place! So very sad indeed! I am worried about what happens to it all once the store is closed.
Laurasays
Someone should
buy them out and keep it open!
Laurie Louisesays
Very sad indeed. I hope Chippy and her family are well. Pam, if you are able to reach them (I know you’ve tried!), please share our best wishes.
Victoria Soudersays
omg. I am really freaking out. Do we know how long until they close. I can’t imagine how I would get there. I’ve ordered some key pieces from them. I could just cry. . How long of a drive from Houston to this place??…….
pam kuebersays
The liquidation will end in two weeks, we are told — then it’s into dumpsters.
Jaysays
I never wanted to mention that but I suspected as much. Sad! The logistics/expense for non-profits further afield distance wise would be too much and there’s the storage aspect. Most community groups that perform home services for seniors and disabled buy only what they need when they need it to conserve cash.
Laurie Louisesays
The thought of that just makes me sick.
Carasays
IF ANYONE IS GOING (I’m in South Florida) I WOULD PAY YOU TO GET ME SOME MATCHING TILES IF THEY EXIST! PLEASE CONTACT ME!! clc@slashconsumption.com
This is terrible. I spoke to Chippy in September & she said she was so busy with replacement tiles that she had a 2 week backlog she had to hire someone to assist with. I don’t understand this!
MOST terribly, I sent a tile sample in September for her to color match (she’d sent me photos of similar colors in an unusual wavy pattern that my bathroom has & I’m trying to fill in where the fixtures were replaced ) and never heard back, although I e-mailed several times. Today I tried to call & the number is disconnected. I’m very disappointed WOT didn’t bother to take care of existing orders or let customers who were counting on replacements know.
IF ANYONE IS GOING (I’m in South Florida) I WOULD PAY YOU TO GET ME SOME MATCHING TILES IF THEY EXIST! PLEASE CONTACT ME!! clc@slashconsumption.com
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.
Andrea says
Pam-
This is so sad. If you do plan on going Wednesday please let us know & maybe we can do a RR meet up? I am 3 hours south of WOT & may make my husband drive up there with me. We are not close to being ready for our master bath remodel but these prices might make it worth it.
Penne says
I’m kicking myself right now. For two years I’ve been meaning to contact World of Tile. I need about four medium blue bullnose for my bathroom. The rest of the 1949 tile is perfect, but someone removed these pieces to put in an ugly 1990s medicine cabinet/mirror. Lesson learned. I’ve done some crazy, expensive things, but I don’t think I could travel to New Jersey right now for four pieces of tile.
Jeff says
Such tragic news. I’m curious as to what hours and days they are going to be open during the liquidation. I have been wanting to go for months. And I’m from North Carolina. I just might…
Scott says
Quite depressing, I hate to see places like this go out of business. And I wish I’d known things were tapering off so severely for them before it had come to this point, I’d know I’d have accelerated by bathroom project accordingly. I have a feeling I’m not the only RetroRenovationer that feels the same way. Sigh.
Victoria souder says
ok. I’m having an anxiety attack. Can’t someone buy existing stock? Are they really going to throw it in dumpster. I live to far to get up there quick. Help!!! My 1958 pale yellow and sea foamy greenish color bathroom needs help. Oh my. I need medication.
Sherri says
I have a bunch of 4×4 pale yellow never used tiles. If you want to see them call me 973.454.8069
Kersten says
NOOOOO! Like Sam R., I’ve been dragging my feet too! Been meaning to send a towel bar end in for months to get a replacement. With all those tiles, I thought I had years to plan a trip to visit such a unique place! So very sad indeed! I am worried about what happens to it all once the store is closed.
Laura says
Someone should
buy them out and keep it open!
Laurie Louise says
Very sad indeed. I hope Chippy and her family are well. Pam, if you are able to reach them (I know you’ve tried!), please share our best wishes.
Victoria Souder says
omg. I am really freaking out. Do we know how long until they close. I can’t imagine how I would get there. I’ve ordered some key pieces from them. I could just cry. . How long of a drive from Houston to this place??…….
pam kueber says
The liquidation will end in two weeks, we are told — then it’s into dumpsters.
Jay says
I never wanted to mention that but I suspected as much. Sad! The logistics/expense for non-profits further afield distance wise would be too much and there’s the storage aspect. Most community groups that perform home services for seniors and disabled buy only what they need when they need it to conserve cash.
Laurie Louise says
The thought of that just makes me sick.
Cara says
IF ANYONE IS GOING (I’m in South Florida) I WOULD PAY YOU TO GET ME SOME MATCHING TILES IF THEY EXIST! PLEASE CONTACT ME!! clc@slashconsumption.com
This is terrible. I spoke to Chippy in September & she said she was so busy with replacement tiles that she had a 2 week backlog she had to hire someone to assist with. I don’t understand this!
MOST terribly, I sent a tile sample in September for her to color match (she’d sent me photos of similar colors in an unusual wavy pattern that my bathroom has & I’m trying to fill in where the fixtures were replaced ) and never heard back, although I e-mailed several times. Today I tried to call & the number is disconnected. I’m very disappointed WOT didn’t bother to take care of existing orders or let customers who were counting on replacements know.
IF ANYONE IS GOING (I’m in South Florida) I WOULD PAY YOU TO GET ME SOME MATCHING TILES IF THEY EXIST! PLEASE CONTACT ME!! clc@slashconsumption.com