Hey all. As you’ve probably heard, Paragon Machine Works announced last week that they’re shutting down, effective more or less immediately. It’s an abrupt end to what's been an industry stalwart. It goes without saying that we wish the best for Mark, Donna, Coco, Calvin, and the crew. Paragon is leaving behind an incredible legacy, and we certainly echo all of the sentiments that have been shared since their announcement.
That said, Paragon's departure will also leave quite the hole in framebuilding supplies and product development. If nothing else, this closure will force us to recognize that fact.
When we launched the Firsthand supply shop, we decided to exclusively stock PMW parts for a couple reasons. First and foremost, they were the best available. Second, we saw a relationship with Paragon as a key part of launching our forthcoming framebuilding school. We're bummed to see those plans fall through.
But we'll figure it out.
In the short term, we still have a bunch of Paragon parts in stock. If you’re struggling to buy your last few items from Paragon directly, check our stock. We’re not upping any prices or hoarding anything for ourselves. It’s all there for you. As always, if an item is in our shop but out-of-stock, we intend on re-stocking it. In the case of these Paragon bits, once they’re gone we’ll simply remove them from the store.
Long term, we’ll figure out how to replace (at least some of) Paragon’s catalog. It might take some time, but we're as motivated as ever to continue providing the best framebuilding supplies available.
For what it's worth, I'm more optimistic about our collective future today than I've ever been. All the chatter, of doom and gloom and canaries and coal mines and whatever else, are just fuel for a fire that burns quite strongly over in this shop. Not to worry. We’ll bust out our shovels and fill this hole, one way or another.
Cheers all!