The Brass Knob Back Doors Warehouse, after 30 years as Washington D.C.'s main architectural salvage store, is closing down and is now holding a four week liquidation sale.
 
Former partner Donetta George, of The Brass Knob, writes, "Yes, we are now two separate businesses. I own the Brass Knob Architectural Antiques and Ron Allan owns The Brass Knob Back Doors Warehouse. We split in 2005 when the Back Doors moved out of Adams Morgan. We both had worked so hard to build the name we decided to keep 'The Brass Knob' in the name of both businesses, even though it is somewhat confusing. At the moment the store on 18th is safe, but these are very difficult times. Adams Morgan is going to be a mess for months because of the city's street construction project, so all the stores in the area are very nervous especially in these economic conditions.
 
"Needless to say, I am very sad about the Back Doors closing. Ron Allan deserves a lot of credit for all he has done with The Brass Knob before and after the two businesses split. He had the inspiration for starting the business and the energy to keep it going in the good and bad times. We just started a blog on our website and we put their sale information with a note on what a loss it is for DC."
 
Donetta set the scene on her blog:
 
"For 25 years The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques and The Brass Knob Back Doors Warehouse were the same business. In 2005, when the Back Doors Warehouse moved out of Adams Morgan, we decided it was time to officially split the business, since we had been running separate operations for many years.
 
"The past couple of years have been grueling for all small businesses. This year the weather in Washington made business even more difficult. Ron Allan owns The Brass Knob Back Doors Warehouse. He is the hardest worker the world has ever known and his knowledge and understanding of all aspects of buildings including their mechanical systems is amazing. He is someone who cherishes all old things and has dedicated his life to saving and recycling old house parts, no matter the size, the weight, or the amount of labor involved. Washington will lose a valuable resource when the Brass Knob Back Doors closes. The merchandise, much of which is hard to handle and to store, and most importantly the knowledge which aids customers in making the best choice and finding the correct piece for their application is not available anywhere else in the city.
 
"We are all extremely sad that The Back Doors Warehouse has not been able to make it through these tough times and hope that everyone who reads this message will go shop at 57 N Street NW to help them clear out this space full of thousands of amazing items . Their sale flyer is attached to provide further details.
 
"The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques will remain open at 2311 18th Street NW and online."
 
Editor: Sorry, to see Ron go. I went to the USA for the Renovation & Restoration trade show years ago in Washington during which myself and a small group of dealers visited the Brass Knob, and we did a follow-up story in SalvoNEWS.