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Longtime Sun Prairie Business Closing
Family-Run Business Liquidating After 3 Generations
Another longtime community business is closing, this time in Sun Prairie. Hanley Co. was started in Sun Prairie 80 years ago, but citing the changing face of retail and the economy, the store will close its doors in just a few weeks.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportHanley sells everything, from hardware to ATVs and motorcycles. It also sells parts and has a service department for many contractors in the area, WISC-TV reported.Some local officials said that they were surprised by the announcement."It's like flipping off a switch; there was no indication that it was coming as abruptly as it's coming," said Sun Prairie Mayor Joe Chase.Owner Tom Hanley said he decided to close the store after realizing the necessity for a new facility and its costs, and he also cited changes in the marketplace. Starting Thursday, the company will sell off all its merchandise and eventually the property, after three generations have run the family business."If you're going to be in retail today you need newer facilities. You have to have a lot of lines and the right lines, and I would say that's some of the things going on out here," said Hanley.The loss of the business and its more than 30 jobs is concerning to the mayor, who also happens to work part-time at the store."This is a shock to us because we think we're trying to do the right things with our economic development plans and then to see something like this happen kind of overnight is kind of a shock to the economics of Sun Prairie," said Chase.Chase said that he's concerned about the countywide business Hanley's attracted, as well as residents who might have to drive to Madison or further for the same needs.However, Hanley said changing times mean difficult choices."I'm going to miss it, but you know sometimes you have to make these decisions," said Hanley.Hanley's liquidation sale will start Thursday and continue for a few weeks until everything including the real estate is sold.The closure comes amid a year of high layoff numbers statewide. So far, the state reported 6,000 layoffs this year, compared to fewer than 10,000 for all of last year, WISC-TV reported.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportHanley sells everything, from hardware to ATVs and motorcycles. It also sells parts and has a service department for many contractors in the area, WISC-TV reported.Some local officials said that they were surprised by the announcement."It's like flipping off a switch; there was no indication that it was coming as abruptly as it's coming," said Sun Prairie Mayor Joe Chase.Owner Tom Hanley said he decided to close the store after realizing the necessity for a new facility and its costs, and he also cited changes in the marketplace. Starting Thursday, the company will sell off all its merchandise and eventually the property, after three generations have run the family business."If you're going to be in retail today you need newer facilities. You have to have a lot of lines and the right lines, and I would say that's some of the things going on out here," said Hanley.The loss of the business and its more than 30 jobs is concerning to the mayor, who also happens to work part-time at the store."This is a shock to us because we think we're trying to do the right things with our economic development plans and then to see something like this happen kind of overnight is kind of a shock to the economics of Sun Prairie," said Chase.Chase said that he's concerned about the countywide business Hanley's attracted, as well as residents who might have to drive to Madison or further for the same needs.However, Hanley said changing times mean difficult choices."I'm going to miss it, but you know sometimes you have to make these decisions," said Hanley.Hanley's liquidation sale will start Thursday and continue for a few weeks until everything including the real estate is sold.The closure comes amid a year of high layoff numbers statewide. So far, the state reported 6,000 layoffs this year, compared to fewer than 10,000 for all of last year, WISC-TV reported.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
