Gahanna's Wood Werks Supply finds new home after intersection reconstruction
GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) — Months after the construction of a roundabout cost a woodworking supply store a large part of its business, it has found a new home across the street at the reopened intersection.
Wood Werks Supply, now operated solely by the father-and-son team of Charlie Vangas Sr. and Charlie Vangas Jr., has moved to 1010 Taylor Station Rd. In an email to NBC4, the younger Vangas said the construction of a roundabout in front of its former location significantly hindered customer access. Vangas said this led to a 70% revenue loss over nine months, prompting the company to downsize and move.
“People were struggling to find a way there or giving up altogether,” Vangas wrote. “A rumor had then spread that we were going out of business or already were out of business for good. This was never the case. We remained open during the entire construction.”
The pair have downsized the store inside the new location and are committed to maintaining the quality and service clients have come to expect. To adapt to the smaller space, inventory has been reduced, and power tools or plywood are no longer being stocked. But other woodworking supplies remain available, and the new location features showrooms and a lumber warehouse.
“We are the same store, smaller building,” Vangas said.
The Vangas family has deeply felt the impact of the relocation and downsizing.
“We never would have been able to do this without amazing support from some of our customers,” Vangas said. “We are beyond grateful, and the help we received from them and the Central Ohio Woodturners was unbelievable.”
Although the rebuilding has been gradual, Wood Werks is optimistic about its future.
“We plan on staying in this location for some time and are already making it a home for Wood Werks,” Vangas said. “It will take us quite some time to really build back up, but for the two of us, we have made a lot of progress.”