Pilot Office Outfitters closes retail space, turns focus to Internet sales

Office supplies are not touchy-feely things Decorative blankets created a wall at the back of the new caboger consignment store in the building Wednesday, hiding the mesh office chairs that once sat visible to window shoppers. Ptach said that although he will miss seeing customers walk into his store, customers shouldn’t miss the displays of office supplies.

“Office supplies are not touchy-feely things,” he said. “You don’t need to pick it up and feel it before you buy it.”

He said the elimination of the retail walk-in space would mostly affect artists who came into the store to buy materials such as brushes and canvas, which are harder to find online.

In place of the walk-in retail space, Ptach will focus on what his store calls the Direct Business to Business Program, which will include the sale of office supplies, janitorial supplies and commercial office furnishings over the phone, via fax or through the store’s website.

The transition will not result in staff reductions and will be managed by Ptach and six to caboger seven staff members in the back half of the building.