A Beloved Family Hardware Store In WI Closes After 159 Years

A family-owned business in Wisconsin that opened right after the American Civil War is closing its doors after 159 years.

Wisconsin Hardware Store Closing After 159 Years

I always try to support local businesses whenever possible. I know how much work those owners put in so they can live their dream as a local business owner. Not everyone has the personality to do it, so I have a lot of respect for those folks.

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I remember growing up, how many "mom and pop" businesses were in my hometown. There are a lot fewer nowadays. Many are passed down from generation to generation. As a customer, you know you can trust those businesses and that they'll go the extra mile for you.

That sad thing I'm seeing in the world today, especially in Wisconsin and Illinois, is that many of these family-owned businesses are closing. It's not that they can't financially. Unfortunately, they can't find someone to take over when they retire.

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Either their children don't want to take over the business, or they can't find a suitable replacement to keep their family tradition going. I appreciate the fact that they don't want any person to buy their business. They want to make sure the new owners can keep up the good service.

According to We Are Green Bay...

Signs announcing that the business will close and that a liquidation sale will begin on Tuesday morning fill the glass on the front door of Krueger’s True Value hardware store.

 

It opened in 1866, and the family-owned business is on its fifth generation of owners.

 

German immigrant William Krueger opened up the store in 1866, the year after the American Civil War ended.