It's no secret among my family and friends that I LOVE Williams Sonoma. I'm a long time customer and I rarely stray to other kitchen stores. This weekend we took a drive over to Sonoma to visit the new/old store where it all began. Williams Sonoma recently purchased the property where Chuck Williams first opened the original Williams Sonoma, which now showcases items that Chuck originally stalked the first store with, along with current items. This location also conducts cooking classes, and showcases Williams Sonoma's other venture "Williams Sonoma Home." If I were to be locked in a store for the night, this one would be it. Complete with a bedroom, living room, and functioning kitchen, what more could you want? There were wonderful photos through out the store of Chuck, with celebrated chefs and other food icons, along with family photos. The calendar pictured shows the date he opened his first shop in San Francisco. The bedroom pictured, was the actual room, long ago, that he slept in when he opened this location!
Chuck is a classy guy, and what a wonderful legacy he will leave behind. He just celebrated his 99th birthday this past October 2nd. A fellow libra, and only two days apart from my birthday. They opened this location on my birthday this year actually, and I had planned to go, but didn't want to fight crowds.
My husband worked for Williams Sonoma in their corporate office back in the late 80's, and at one of the Christmas parties, we got to meet Mr. Williams. He is a very soft spoken man and was really friendly to all the employees that evening. I have so many pieces from WS, that if I were to work there, I would probably not have to be trained in product information, hahah! I would actually love to work at ours, but there is a certain employee that works there that would not make it very fun, so until she departs, then sadly no. It's a long story, but the minute I hear her cackling voice I leave the store. Oh well, I guess I will continue to just be a customer, which is alright with me! Hope you enjoy the mini tour of the Sonoma Williams Sonoma.
If there were a Williams-Sonoma anonymous, I would not join! I LOVE that store and have since my very first visit to the Sonoma store circa 1978ish. I purchased a ceramic ginger grater which I still have. I love when the catalogs arrive. I love wandering through the store(s) in Chicago where I find many "needful" things. You have made my morning!! Yes, Church Williams is one classy man. I recall him saying that he was told his store would never succeed!!
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Bonnie
I would not join either! Hahah. I'm a groupie for life! I love all their catalogs and the smells of the store during the holidays when they make the sample breads and simmer the mulled spices :)
DeleteOops! Make that "Chuck".
ReplyDeleteI could easily live in that beautiful shop. W.S. is one of my happy places and I always get a lift in my spirit as I step into their store.
ReplyDeleteIf you come out to California sometime, we could plan a way to sneak in there and spend the night ;) Wouldn't that be a blast?!
DeleteWilliams Sonoma is one of my very favorite places to shop! I want one of everything in there. This Williams Sonoma shop in Sonoma is so amazing. I could spend all day there. It's on my list for when I visit Northern California some day. And I think it would be so much fun to work at one of their stores!
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite too! I would work at my local one in a heart beat, except there is a particular employee there that I have an issue with, and she just won't move on hahahha. The minute she quits I may consider doing a part time job there!
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