the end of an era

John A. Thompson, The Showroom Manager at Wayne Martin Inc.




Dearest Designers,

How does one say what needs to be said. These words are among the saddest that I have ever written. The difficulty is only as a result that I have made deep connections with many of you throughout the years.You were there when my son Eric was born. Many of you saw him grow up when he visited me at the showroom. I remember a beautiful blue sweater that Mary Roberts knitted for him as a baby. She was also there for me when I was going through Stage 3 colorectal cancer. So many of you were there for me during that time as well. Your kind words and fierce encouragement helped me through the most difficult time in my life. Yours gifts of flowers made me smile when the pain was too great.
Words can not begin to describe what you all have meant to me. I have learned so much from all of you. We have shared endearing conversations, laughs and tears from our joys and our losses. Wayne Martin Inc. was more than a showroom for designers to shop.It was a place that friends met, relationships began and young careers blossomed to become talented interior designers. Our lives have been woven together in a textile more important than the ones that you purchased from us.
Many of you have had fond memories of our showroom's founder, D. Wayne Martin. My fondest memory was of Wayne sitting in his Wicker Works Rama lounge chair taking a drag from his menthol cigarette. As he exhaled, the billowing smoke would roll around his face.A designer would walk through the doors. Wayne would graciously greet her and say "Darling you are looking fabulous" later after she left he would ask me "who the hell was that?". It was the lively cast of characters that most intrigued Wayne. I can now understand his joy for this business. It was more than selling fabric. It was about you and our relationships that bonded us together.

Our talented wonderful interior designers,It is with much sadness that after 40 years of serving the interior design community, Wayne
Martin Inc. will be closing on July 31, 2010. We have been a leader in the industry with the finest quality furniture,
textiles, wall coverings, lighting, carpeting and accessories. You have been a strong part of our
former success. The economy has put a strain on our resources and as a consequence we can no
longer continue business. Our industry has been hit especially hard. Luxury items such as what we
have represented have been hard to sell. Along with the controversial problems created by our
Seattle showroom have forced us to make the decision to close.
We have striven to conduct our business with loyalty, integrity, honesty and good faith with our
vendors and our clients. Our customer service to our clients have been some of the best in the
industry.
It has been a pleasure getting to know you over the years. I have truly enjoyed my 23 year career at Wayne Martin Inc. I consider myself an expert as a mercer of fine textiles.I have helped you make thoughtful and wise selections for your clients. handled your problems with the best of my abilities. You have given me a strength and confidence as I have learned about interior design from you.
I feel very sad but I also feel a strange empowerment. I feel the energy surrounding this event is meant for something good. I have a very strong commitment to the design community. I am very open to the possibilities that are out there.You are my friends.I wish you all a successful future in the world of interior design.

Thank you for your cooperation in these unfortunate events.

Love,

John A. Thompson


(The Photo below my picture is at the first Fabric of Life, a benefit for Aids awareness. My dear friend, Mary Roberts is on the left, Wayne Martin and Judy Hoffer is to his right).