Wisconsin Retailer Closes Store, Can't Compete

Wisconsin Rapids, WI, November 30, 2005--After 55 years of business, Henke's Floors will be closing its doors for the final time Friday, according to a report in the Daily Tribune. Second generation owner Dave Henke has worked in the Wisconsin Rapids store since he was 10. But he decided to close the store because of increasing competition, a lack employees and a desire to retire. The era of family-owned businesses like his seems to be coming to an end, said Henke, a lifelong Wisconsin Rapids resident. And it's not as common for multiple generations to work together. "My sons and daughters aren't interested in the business because they have different jobs making more money than I'll ever make," said Henke, 68. The area around the store has experienced multiple changes over the years. When Henke's father first opened the store, Eighth Street was not the heart of the community's business district. Instead, a farm stood where Hardee's is, and homes sat on much of the land around the floor business. Back then, people made deals with handshakes rather than a contract, Henke said Monday, as he walked around the store. Carpet samples still line the walls, and rolls of carpet and linoleum are stacked toward the back. Over the years, the business has relied on two things to bring in business -word of mouth and customer loyalty. It was common for customers' children to become future customers. "If you did a good job, then you would get more business from the family down the road," he said. "People respected you and came here because they knew they would get good service." Harold and Dorothy Thalacker can attest to that. The couple built their home in Grand Rapids in 1953, and they've used Henke's several times for carpeting. "We never had to go anywhere else to find the quality or the good prices. They've always been honest with us," said Dorothy Thalacker, 83, of Grand Rapids. Local economic struggles could mean more businesses close their doors, said Nancy Vidal, who works at Bauer's Floor Mart in Wisconsin Rapids, "We need employment for people and places for people to work," she said. Bill and Betty Bauer own Bauer's Floor Mart, which opened in Wisconsin Rapids in 1966. They have no plans to close any time soon. Vidal is one of three children who continue to work at the store. "I enjoy working with people and enjoy working with the decorating aspect of things," Vidal said. "I also enjoy the bookkeeping end of it. It allows me to do everything I like to do." Vidal, who has worked at the store for 30 years, is an exception. "There (aren't) a lot of kids that graduate from high school and say they want to sell flooring or be a carpet installer," she said. "Physical labor is not something kids want as a part of their job description." Owning a business also means working weekends and taking a lot of problems home with you, she said. Another challenge for small businesses is the presence of "big box" corporations, Henke said. "(Henke's Floors) just can't compete," he said.