APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – After nearly a century in business an Appleton store is closing up shop.
Ninety years is a long time for anyone or anything to be around, meaning that Gabriel Furniture in Appleton certainly left its mark over time on the community.
The store has been around since 1928 in a building at 201 E. College Avenue that has stood since the late 1800s.
Owner Ruby Wells says some parts of the building have been renovated, while a lot remains the same.
“The old stairways, old woodwork, they were proud of the hardwood floors that were put in here,” says Ruby.
Some of the components to the building that have changed are on its exterior.
“In the 60’s they covered it up in metal because bricks and things needed some attention,” she explains.
For co-owners Joe and Ruby Wells, who bought the store thirty years ago, setting up shop anywhere else would be unimaginable.
“It’s the only place we ever wanted to be,” says Ruby. “It never interested us to go and be out of town some place and a flat level store because this has so much character and charm.
Residents agree that the building is important to the community and they don’t want to see changes take place.
James Richter is the secretary for the Appleton Historical Society. He says the building originally housed Odd Fellows Hall for many years.
Add him to the list of people voicing support to keep the building intact.
“That’s our goal to preserve Appleton history for the young people as well as us older people,” he says.
With Gabriel Furniture moving out the future does become a bit murky for the structure and Ruby Wells says that a developer is interested in the building. She did not reveal who the developer was or what plans would be for the building.
No matter what happens, the Wells will look back fondly on their time spent at 201 E. College Avenue.
“For sure we’ll miss the customer and we’ll miss the people we worked with,” explains Ruby.
And the couple’s future is looking plenty bright.
“We’re going to take some time to spend with our daughter, son-in-law, grandson and just enjoy life,” she says.
