Offering wood, hardware, power tools and more, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is coming to the St. Johns Town Center.
The Minnesota-based retail store plans to take over the 10,800-square-foot space vacated by Pier 1 at 4643 River City Drive, Suite 101, according to a building permit issued by the city on Tuesday.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware began in 1954 when Norton Rockler started the Minnesota Woodworkers Supply Company in north Minneapolis, according to the company’s website.
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It was a small, mail-order business that has since grown to 37 locations — not including affiliated stores — with the upcoming Jacksonville one to be the latest feather in the company’s cap. In Florida, Rockler operates stores in Altamonte Springs and Brandon.
The store will feature a lumber outlet, top power tool brands, classes and more.
Throughout the company’s history, Rockler has been a family-owned business, the website said, and it is “committed to the future of woodworking, DIY and the natural resources that make woodworking possible.”
Rockler noted that it provides "green" products to promote recycling and support sustainable forest growth through the Hardwood Forestry Fund, and the company was named the 2014 recipient of the Forestry Fund's Gifford Pinchot Award in recognition of efforts to plant hardwood trees in America.
Pier 1, which had been one of the Town Center's original tenants, closed during the COVID-19 pandemic after the home decor retail chain filed for bankruptcy in spring 2020 and closed all of its stores.
In addition to the Town Center location, Pier 1 closed stores at 950 Marsh Landing Parkway in Jacksonville Beach and 9625 Crosshill Blvd. in Oakleaf Town Center. In 2010, the company closed a store at 9047 Southside Blvd.
The chain is still operating at pier1.com for online orders.