Marvelous Mibs Marbles Collectors Zone

RedRoseT · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

The lead story on our local news station tonight was that Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown WV is closing. Since many marble folks are interested in glass in general and have visited the factory and/or collect their glassware, I thought I'd share this info. I personally believe that the basic circumstances that caused this glass factory to close will eventually have the same effect on Jabo.

Paula

*********

"Farewell To Fenton
WTAP News

Fenton Art Glass Says It's Closing

More than a century ago, Fenton Art Glass opened its doors providing jobs to Valley residents.

Those jobs, however, will soon cease to exist.

Tucked away in the City of Williamstown is a family business, standing still, more than a century after opening its doors.

It's been a bumpy couple of months for the Williamstown company, but on Thursday, Fenton's fragile future came unglued.

Fenton fans from all over the nation will be saddened from the closure.

Thousands throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley will mourn the loss of Fenton.

But, as Fenton closes it's doors in the months to come, their legacy will live on.

Governor Joe Manchin released a statement upon learning of the forthcoming closure of Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown...

"Fenton Glass has been an important part of West Virginia's industrial and cultural heritage for many years. It is truly a shame that global market conditions have made it so difficult for this company -- and our country's entire handmade glass industry as a whole -- to compete."

"We will now continue to do everything we can to assist the company's workers during this difficult time."[/quote]

sissydear · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 136

Truly sad! We love to visit there. A friend of ours said to us some time back that hand made glass in this country will soon be a garage shop at someone's home. That's the only way it can survive. We've watched the closure of many. Pilgrim, Viking, Dalzell viking, Imperial, Gibson, Hamon, L. G. Wright, Mid Atlantic, Smith in Pennsylvania. All were places we loved to visit. Can Blenko be far behind? And what about the Wilkersons in Moundsville, and Boyd Glass in Cambridge. I can't help but think about Julia Powell who works at Fenton. Sissy

RedRoseT · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

Sissy ~

Like you, my first thought was of Julie... It's been a while, maybe 8 weeks or so, since the last time I spoke with her but at that time, she had just gone back to work there after being on lay-off for so long. Hopefully this will turn out to be a blessing in disguise in that she will have more time to work on her "art on glass". You are right, so many of our glass factories are closing and I fear there are more to come - we just can't compete with the lower prices of the imports.

Al Oregon · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Oregon

That's a shame! I enjoyed our visit there when we were at the Parkersburg show a couple of years ago. That's going to dry up one source of cullet glass for Jabo and Marble King, too.

sandycattzz · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 843 Location: with Waldo

Thanks for letting us know this Paula.
I had no idea they were closing.
It's always sad when places like these start to disappear.
I had a Great time on the Fenton tour a few years ago.
I walked around with Diane Ackerson(spelling) and got to hang out with Guy Gregg and Denise.
Actually, As soon as I pulled up to the Marble show in Parkersburg, Guy and Denise and few others were just leaving for Fenton and Guy INSISTED I ride along with them. He had us laughing the whole trip. It was a lot of fun!

Bo44 · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 111 Location: Phoenix, AZ

I sure miss that ol' boy.
_________________
the actual length of "Just a minute" depends on which side of the bathroom door your on !