Keywords: ARKANSAS, BONSAI, BUTCHE, CARVING, CERAMIC, CLEAVERS, CUTICLE, DIVING, EMBROIDERY, FILES, FILLET, HUNTING, IMPLEMENTS, KITCHEN, KNIFE, MANICURE, NAIL, OILSTONES, POCKET, PRUNING, SCISSORS, SHARPENING, SHEARS, STEELS, TWEEZERS
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Established in 1976, Country Knives is a third generation, family run, full-service cutlery store.
What is your primary product or service?
We stock over 8000 different cutlery items and accessories of the highest quality, specializing in a comprehensive selection of over 300 manufacturers from more than twenty countries around the globe.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Country Knives started with just one line of cutlery. My parents, Norman and Rose Huegel, thought that it would be fun to sell knives 'retail' and, as my father was the new sales representative for W.R.Case & Sons Cutlery Co., what better line to start with, for at that time, Case made a complete line of cutlery: pocket and hunting knives, kitchen cutlery, scissors and shears. As sales grew, we realized that Case's selection was not enough and began to add more lines. After graduating from college in 1983, I came into the business full-time making expansion necessary, and the present store, attached to the family home, was built.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Country Knives is a real 'brick and mortar' store. Located two miles East of the town of Intercourse on PA Rt. 340, we are out in the middle of the cornfields in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish communities. Offering a complete selection from over 300 manufacturers and makers, we stock more than 8000 different cutlery items and accessories of the highest quality. Country Knives specializes in unusual and discontinued cutlery. We are on an automatic-order basis with many of our vendors, so that we are the first to have the latest products. Special ordering is gladly accepted for items we do not normally stock. With over thirty years of experience, depth of knowledge, and most importantly a 'passion for fine knives,' we are ready to assist you with your cutlery needs.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
One location - one focus.
Provide detailed directions to your location
We are located just two miles east of Intercourse, Pennsylvania on Route 340. Lancaster Country is just 1 hour south of Harrisburg, an hour west of Philadelphia, 1½ hours north of Baltimore, 2½ hours northeast of Washington, DC and 3 hours southwest of New York City.
If you are using a GPS Navigation System, you will need to enter our street address per the U.S. Postal Service: 4134 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville PA 17529.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept the following forms of payment: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Money Orders, Cashier's Checks, Bank Drafts, Western Union Wire Transfer, and Personal Checks imprinted with address (please include driver's license number and issuing state).
Which areas do you service?
Customer Service. We take the time to answer your questions in terms that you understand, explaining the misconceptions associated with cutlery, and assisting you in making an edge-u-cated™ cutlery purchase.
Professional, expert knife and scissors sharpening, refinishing and restoration service.
Appraisal service for insurance and legal purposes.
Knife Concierge service for locating discontinued and unusual stock.
Domestic and International Shipping.
Gift Certificates are available in any amount.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Brian Huegel with his wife, Catherine, have started a third generation in the business with their daughter, Nicole, and son, Thomas. Keeping things in the family, Catherine's brother, Dan, is the manager of online sales and Matt (CIA graduate), a family friend, is their sales associate.
What are your hours of operation?
We are open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and are closed on Sunday. We are also closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
As we are a small family-run store, there may be times when our hours will fluctuate.