After some members here reported in THIS THREAD that they had learned at the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous (WPASCR) that Dave Curtis's Hemlock Canoe Works had been sold to a new couple, I contacted Dave to ask whether he could confirm any details. He replied that he and Carol had not made any general announcement, but related the basic business transition plan and some background details in the following email, which I am quoting verbatim (with a few paragraph spaces added).
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Hi Glenn; Thanks for writing.
We have a couple who have bought in and with whom we are working thru this season before sliding quietly out. Matt & Sam (Samantha) Cassavaugh. They were with us at WPASCR to get a feel for the canoe crowd. Matt was especially active with those interested in trying boats.
Everything is to remain right here in Hemlock shop. Matt has been building canoes with us since early Jan and Sam, who is a Primary school teacher will be here in shop/office during summer months. They are both in early 40's with no kids and interested in expanding their work horizons. Both are open canoe paddlers.
Carol & I will remain in our current residence and will be available should need arise. Hopefully available to travel a bit!
I intend to leave everything, as is, in the shop here, including help, so that hopefully by Fall we can ease out and the product will continue on as it is. (Carol & I have not been involved in actual canoe construction since mid-Feb, all work has been done by our current staff + Matt & Sam, when she was not at school. We wanted to make sure product quality would remain as it has been.)
We have had opportunities to sell out, but prospective buyers have wanted to move shop, most commonly into the Midwest. We have felt Hemlock canoes should remain in Hemlock. Matt approached us 6-8 months ago expressing interest and we arrived at a buy out arrangement which let's us train them for a season and then ease out, but remain available if necessary.
Matt has been in the winery business, consulting with Finger Lakes wineries basically with start up procedures. We basically introduced them at WPASCR as "currently working with us" without any detailed explanations.
You're welcome to utilize this info as you see fit. Thanks for your help in the past and let me know if you need anything further.
Best regards; Dave
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I think it's terrific for the canoe marketplace that Dave's classic line of Hemlock canoes will stay on the market for the foreseeable future under the new leadership of Matt and Sam, and right in the same shop and same town that Dave has worked out of for so many decades.
I wish all good luck to Matt and Sam Cassavaugh in the Hemlock Canoe business. And I thank Dave and Carol Curtis for their unforgettable contributions to canoe sport over more than a half century, and wish them happy and enjoyable retirement years.
*****
Hi Glenn; Thanks for writing.
We have a couple who have bought in and with whom we are working thru this season before sliding quietly out. Matt & Sam (Samantha) Cassavaugh. They were with us at WPASCR to get a feel for the canoe crowd. Matt was especially active with those interested in trying boats.
Everything is to remain right here in Hemlock shop. Matt has been building canoes with us since early Jan and Sam, who is a Primary school teacher will be here in shop/office during summer months. They are both in early 40's with no kids and interested in expanding their work horizons. Both are open canoe paddlers.
Carol & I will remain in our current residence and will be available should need arise. Hopefully available to travel a bit!
I intend to leave everything, as is, in the shop here, including help, so that hopefully by Fall we can ease out and the product will continue on as it is. (Carol & I have not been involved in actual canoe construction since mid-Feb, all work has been done by our current staff + Matt & Sam, when she was not at school. We wanted to make sure product quality would remain as it has been.)
We have had opportunities to sell out, but prospective buyers have wanted to move shop, most commonly into the Midwest. We have felt Hemlock canoes should remain in Hemlock. Matt approached us 6-8 months ago expressing interest and we arrived at a buy out arrangement which let's us train them for a season and then ease out, but remain available if necessary.
Matt has been in the winery business, consulting with Finger Lakes wineries basically with start up procedures. We basically introduced them at WPASCR as "currently working with us" without any detailed explanations.
You're welcome to utilize this info as you see fit. Thanks for your help in the past and let me know if you need anything further.
Best regards; Dave
*******
I think it's terrific for the canoe marketplace that Dave's classic line of Hemlock canoes will stay on the market for the foreseeable future under the new leadership of Matt and Sam, and right in the same shop and same town that Dave has worked out of for so many decades.
I wish all good luck to Matt and Sam Cassavaugh in the Hemlock Canoe business. And I thank Dave and Carol Curtis for their unforgettable contributions to canoe sport over more than a half century, and wish them happy and enjoyable retirement years.
