Local News
Related Photos
-
C.L. Garvin
Tools
Case Knives avoids mass merchants
In business for 120 years, W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., or Case Knives, works to support the independent business owner.
Based in Bradford, Pa., Case Knives distributes its product nationwide, focusing on small-town hardware shops. Employing around 425 people, the company makes everything from pocket knives to rare find knives and each knife is still handcrafted.
Case Knives has focused on helping independent businesses by not distributing its products to mass merchants. Ed Jessup, vice president of sales and marketing for Case, said he believes it is important to support these retailers because of what they represent.
“These stores can tell our stories about real American backgrounds and small-town values,” he said. “We think downtown America is so important that we want to draw a lot of attention to it.”
One local authorized Case dealer is Priddy’s Hardware in Sophia. In business since 1975, Priddy’s has carried Case products for more than 30 years and co-owner Don Priddy says he has enjoyed working with Case over the years.
“Case is a household name,” Priddy said. “They’re a trustworthy brand and they don’t sell their product to anyone. You have to be an authorized dealer and have to have certain qualifications to sell them. Discount stores, for example, aren’t allowed to sell them.”
The qualifications include: making a commitment to talking to customers, advertising the company and a willingness to compete with mass merchants.
“It’s more than being a pocket knife and it’s more than a label on the side saying, ‘Made in America,’” Jessup said. “It’s about real values, real people and real communities.”
Priddy’s stocks everything from Case’s pocket knives to collectors knives. Many of the items it carries are souvenir and rare find knives which he said do just as well. The good thing, Priddy added, is that they gain in value as the years progress.
------
To help Case spread its message of small-town values, Case Knives has created a campaign called “Making a Case for America,” which has recruited country music singers Brooks and Dunn.
The country music duo decided to get involved because of a shared commitment to independent retailers and small-town values. The mission of the campaign is to emphasize the importance of products that are made in America and to create a tribute to small-town businesses.
“It’s the backbone of our country and an important part of society,” Jessup said. “That’s what this campaign is about. We connected with Brooks and Dunn to help us tell our story. They share this opinion and want to help consumers.”
- Local News
-
-
High school group eyes county funds for wetlands project
LEWISBURG — Thanks to a high school science project and a local watershed association, the Greenbrier County Commission may be persuaded to spend money on the Meadow River area.
-
SCHOOL CLOSINGS and DELAYS
Click HERE to go to the West Virginia Department of Education with up-to-date school closings and delays by county.
-
Senate approves House cemetery access measure
CHARLESTON — Families with loved ones interred in rural settings would be assured access to cemeteries in a House bill approved Wednesday by the Senate.
-
Chancery court approved; Caruth back
CHARLESTON — Chancery court, an idea that creates a special venue to deal with complex and often time-consuming business cases, cleared the last hurdle Wednesday in the Legislature.
-
Calendar — Thursday, March 11, 2010
today's events
-
General: No room for gang members in the Guard
CHARLESTON — Criminal gangs have sought to infiltrate the nation’s military as a means of getting training for use in street warfare, a West Virginia National Guard official says.
-
Ultrasound faces typical pro-life scrutiny
CHARLESTON — Two big hurdles remain for its bill to clear the Legislature in this final week, but West Virginians for Life says it is gearing up for an ultrasound signing ceremony with Gov. Joe Manchin.
-
Raleigh schools will make up less than half of snow days
The Raleigh County Board of Education approved school calendar changes Tuesday that will allow the county to make up eight of the 17 school days missed due to weather conditions so far this winter.
-
Priorities ranked
Beckley city officials say transportation is their top priority as they work toward getting more grant funding.
-
93-year-old woman airlifted to Charleston after Nicholas wreck
A 93-year-old Nicholas County woman was airlifted to a Charleston hospital after a SUV rolled over an embankment, trapping her and the driver for more than 10 hours, police said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
High school group eyes county funds for wetlands project
