Richmond, IN, December 20-- After 27 years in Fountain City and the death of its founder this fall, Newport Carpet and Appliances is closing this month, according to the Palladium-Item.
Assistant manager Melinda Wilson said the store's showroom is closing Thursday, Dec. 23, in honor of her father, Dan Wilson, who along with his wife, Freda, opened the store in 1978. Dan Wilson died Oct. 25.
"Basically, we made the decision as a family, for his legacy, to close the same year," Melinda Wilson said. "Newport Carpet was synonymous with Dan Wilson."
Dan and Freda created the store at 105 N. U.S. 27 by transforming the former Fountain City Post Office.
For 10 years prior to opening the store, Dan Wilson installed flooring and owned Dan's Carpet Service.
Newport Carpet sold and installed carpet to several area businesses and meeting places, including Richmond Civil Hall, Earlham's Goddard Auditorium and First English Lutheran Church.
Melinda said her brother, Toney Wilson, will continue his own flooring installation business, Toney's Carpet Service.
Melinda Wilson said that her father was known for always having a coffee cup in his hand. She said in honor of that the store is offering a cup of coffee to anyone who wants to come in.
"We'll have a big pot of coffee on all week," she said.
