Even with all the publicity and their prominent building on Interstate 40/85 just outside of Greensboro, NC, Replacements, Ltd. China, Crystal & Silver Old & New, is still a secret to some. Since the company opened in 1981 their success story has been written about in many magazines and newspapers as well as seen on NBC’s The Today Show, but still many of us don’t realize the positive impact that this N.C. company has on our economy and what a gigantic job Replacements does at providing and/or repairing new and used tableware.
Maybe like me you have faint memories of “Replacements” success stories through relatives or friends. Several years ago my Aunt Grace found the Replacements 800 number in the back of a magazine. They replaced a broken piece of her china tea set she had received as a wedding gift in 1952. “I got that in the mail, good as new. I was surprised when I saw the return address; it was from Replacements China, just up the road in Greensboro, N.C.”.
I emailed them with a pattern I was thinking of collecting; it had been discontinued for years and had only been made in a limited edition for Old Salem, N.C. At first they did not have the pattern in stock but later emailed me that some of the pieces of the china I had requested were now available.
Seem impossible? It turns our that getting the “irreplaceable” is not as impossible as one might think. I am just one of the more than 6 million customers in the Replacements data bank of shoppers. They receive 100,000 pieces of china, crystal, silver and collectibles every week. They have more than 5 football fields of inventory (10 million pieces and more than 200,000 different patterns).
How did it all start? While working as a state government employee, Bob Page started going to yard sales and/or estate auctions for hard-to-find and discontinued china and crystal for friends and neighbors. In a short period of time Bob’s home was too small for his growing collection of dinnerware (and the index card method of keeping up with his inventory). After advertising in magazines, like Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens, he realized that taking care of the demand for his “replacement” china had become a full time job. Now customers’ requests are answered by employees accessing one of the 550 personal computers that tie into the mainframe that stores information for more than 10 million pieces of inventory. Some of the china and silver are over 100 years old and valued at more than $100,000.
There are three ways that you can find out if Replacements has the china you need to make your table whole again: you can call them at 1-800-737-5223, visit their website at www.replacements.com or simply stop by on your way to western North Carolina. It is also a short, fun, destination trip for the girls or out-of-town relatives that would not (could not) experience anything like this otherwise.
This month is Christmas in July at Replacements. Many Christmas collectibles and most of their Christmas china patterns are on display and can be purchased or ordered. In November I enjoyed their collection of Turkey platters. Every month of the year their museum pieces always prove to be interesting. Among the museum pieces now on loan to Replacements is the official silver service for the USS North Carolina. This historic set is actually 5 different sterling silver services in one; punch bowl, tea, water, wine, and cigar service. This piece was commissioned in 1907 by the NC General Assembly and is on display now through June of 2007. Behind the area designated as the museum is a section with new (factory discontinued) items for sale at Replacements. They will also buy dinnerware that you may want to sell and make repairs to your damaged silver.
To experience this mega-mall of dinnerware and collectibles first hand take exit 132 off I-85/40 west of Burlington (Mt. Hope Church Road). Turn right at the top of the ramp. Take the first service road to the left (Knox Road, before the Shell station). Follow Knox Road to replacements, about 1 mile. A few notes of interest:
Shopping with your dog is no problem. One of the many things that reinforce my idea of the Replacements stop as an ideal respite for weary travelers is their policy on pets. Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside. The day I visited there were employees with dogs and customers with dogs. There is also a small play area and picnic tables where bored husbands, kids, and dogs behaving badly can sit or play in the shade.
Recommended dining near Replacements is Maria’s Bistro where they serve everything from Honey Ham to Healthy Hummus. Take exit 135 (if you are coming from Raleigh, this is before the exit for Replacements) onto Rock Creek Diary Rd. then go to the 2nd stop light. Maria’s is in the Shoppes at Stoney Creek shopping center.
Replacements, LTD. is open 7 days a week from 9:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Tours are free and begin every half-hour