Industrial Plastics on Canal Street, much beloved of ID students at Pratt and a classic New York destination for wacky things made of plastic—nativity scenes and disco balls as well as great model-making supplies like acrylic rod and sheet stock, is closing.

I was there Saturday and saw a sign saying "everything 50% off." I inquired and heard the sad news—they are to close on April 15. A writeup in the New York Times cites the general difficulties doing business in lower Manhattan since 9/11 and higher plastic prices due to oil prices.

Canal Street as a whole is a blessing for local ID students: it's an only-in-New-York resource for stores with all kinds of industrial parts, scraps and model-making bits and pieces that inspire us and save our a**es when projects are due. But easy access to such supplies can be too much of a good thing; Pratt professors have been known to refer to some student work as "Canal Street design": too literal, relying on putting current production parts into new contexts rather than really thinking deeply about the problem. I know this because I am guilty of it.

Regardless of the pitfalls, Canal Street is a treasure trove for a designer. If you are visiting New York for the IDSA conference, I recommend a stop. In the next day or two I will post a map and some pointers. Losing Industrial Plastics will mean losing a bit of the soul of Canal Street. It is the best of the plastics stores (of which there are three—an embarrassment of riches!) for pure atmosphere and for surprises on the shelves.

However, my sadness will not stop me from taking advantage of the opportunity to stock up on half-price supplies before April 15th. And, if no one else does, I may just have to buy the forlorn plastic turkey carcass as a memento. I have a great idea for a lamp design...