RodMaker Home part 1

The original RodMaker Magazine offices comprised all of 900 square feet. In just a few years the place got more than a little cramped. Taking photos for the magazine required moving shop equipment out of the way.  Doing any shop work required putting away assorted administrative fixtures and paperwork. I decided that when I moved to larger quarters, they wouldn’t be just a bit larger, they’d be a whole lot larger.

For some years I had my eye on a building just down the street. About 8,000 square feet with 2 acres of property surrounding it. Several times I inquired about buying the property from the Italian furniture component company that owned it. Each time I inquired they shot me down and said they had no interest in selling. But I kept my eye on that place.

In 2006 I noticed a large dumpster outside their side dock and wondered if perhaps this meant they might be moving. My inquiry was answered in the affirmative. They gave me a quick walk through. A deal was done the next day.

So what do the RodMaker offices look like on the inside?  Nothing too fancy yet spacious and accommodating. There’s even a full 700 sq.ft. live-in apartment with bedroom, kitchen and full bath (no more commuting back and forth between Winston-Salem and High Point during Expo week!). Separate rooms for magazine production, administrative tasks, rod shop, photo studio and a whopping 6000 square feet of heavy shop and warehouse area. Not to mention a 200 sq.ft. covered dock on one side of the building. Great for doing dirty work outside.

From my private office window, I look out over a wooded acre that has been home to deer, foxes, wild pigs (yes, wild pigs) raccoons and possums. It includes an 80 yard shooting range (targets only). This office is where the magazine layout is done.

The main office/reception area is where your orders are taken and filled, subscription renewals updated and all manner of bills paid. The walls are adorned with display cases featuring antique fishing lures and tackle. It is rare to stop by in the late afternoon or early evening and not find at least one or two rod builders or fishermen sitting and visiting.

Just down the long hall to the right in this photo is the real meat of the place. It’s where the dust flies and rods get built. We’ll take a peek at it tomorrow.

Tom Kirkman

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