Report: Woolrich Outlet store to close

Mar 16, 2023

May 13, 2023

BREANNA HANLEY/The ExpressWoolrich Outlet Store along Park Avenue in Woolrich will hold a liquidation sale from May 19 through May 21.

WOOLRICH — It appears the Woolrich Outlet Store in the vaunted Clinton County village where the iconic company was founded is closing for good.

The company has announced a "liquidation sale" May 19 through May 21.

"Over the years, Woolrich has enjoyed the relationships with our customers and the community. We would like to thank all of our customers as we could not have been as successful as we were without your support and loyalty," the company said in an email.

"We would like to invite you to participate in our liquidation sale the weekend of May 19-21 at our Woolrich, Pa., store. Additional sales and liquidation events will continue through the store closing at the end of June."

According to Clinton County Economic Partnership President/CEO Mike Flangan, the company will also hold an auction on May 22 of large items in its manufacturing facility.

Flanagan provided the following information from Woolrich, Inc.:

"There are two sales. One is an auction online for the mill stuff (sewing machines, racks, etc) and one is at the store. Auction is online until May 22. You can place bids now until then. A J Willner Auctions. Then the store is running sales now but the big sale is the weekend of the 19th. They will also have some additional racks and decorations, etc.

"Go to the auction site and then you can click on current auctions. Then scroll down to find Woolrich. Auction is (May 22) at 11 a.m., but you can bid up until then."

The contents of the original 19th century manufacturing facility will be auctioned off online at ajwillnerauctions.com/auctions/detail/bw99484

The auction will have both antique and modern manufacturing support equipment, over 100 commercial sewing machines, antique and vintage mannequins and store displays, engineering department tools and supplies, 100s of antique industrial carts, a Mitsubishi 5,000 lbs. LPG Pneumatic Tire Forklift Truck and much more.

The auction is online only with no on-site inspection offered. The auction ends May 22 at 11 a.m.

Dates for pickup are May 23 – 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closing of the store at 1039 Park Ave. might spell the very end of Woolrich Inc.'s presence in the Clinton County village.

It was founded here in 1830.

Clinton County Economic Partnership President/CEO Mike Flanagan said the move by Woolrich is disappointing, but not surprising.

"It's disappointing to hear that the Woolrich Outlet Store is closing soon after serving as a destination point for locals and visitors for many, many decades. But, it is not that surprising given that the store is not what it once was," Flanagan said. "We hope to have conversations soon with Woolrich representatives to see if there is any plan for the facility's future, or if we can assist in marketing, etc."

In 2018, the company announced an end to all manufacturing/making of clothing in Woolrich and the closing of what was the oldest, continuously operating vertical woolen mill in the United States.

Yet, at the time, Nicholas P. Brayton, president, said the firm was thriving, employing 55 people.

Since then, Brayton, a descendant of the Rich family that founded Woolrich, has left the company.

It was in 2018 or so when L-GAM Advisers, an investment company based in Luxembourg in Europe, bought majority interest in Woolrich from W.P. Lavoi of Italy.

Last report had Woolrich employing a small handful of people at the outlet store.

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