Legendary SW Wisconsin company transitions to new operator | Tri-condition Information
3 min readLANCASTER, Wis. — An legendary southwest Wisconsin enterprise that has served the community for additional than nine a long time has transformed hands.
Karri and David Schauff this week turned the new house owners of Walker’s Clothing and Sneakers in Lancaster. The organization experienced been owned by Steve Walker due to the fact 1990.
“I know I have large shoes to fill,” Karri explained. “I hope I can continue the custom.”
Steve Walker represented the 3rd technology of his family members to guide the organization, which was co-started by his grandfather. Steve began doing the job total time at the retailer in 1979 and procured the organization from his father about 11 decades later.
He acknowledged that it was “bittersweet” to have the small business depart the spouse and children. Even so, he said he is incredibly assured it will remain a accomplishment underneath the new homeowners.
“This not a COVID(-19) conclusion, and it was not a economical choice,” he explained. “This was the time correct for me (to promote the small business) for many reasons. I also knew I experienced the right man or woman intrigued in using on the venture.”
Whilst Karri Schauff is not relevant to Walker, they do have a close bond and mutual respect that was developed up about many decades operating facet by side.
Karri labored at Walker’s for about 8 many years.
“He was my mentor,” she reported of Walker. “I uncovered every thing I know from him,”
When Walker made a decision to shut the section of his retail store that offered children’s outfits, Schauff resolved to fill the void by opening a enterprise of her personal.
She introduced Cruisin’ Little ones, a child and children’s outfits store, about 8 decades ago, and the enterprise continues to be in operation these days. Schauff explained she programs to move Cruisin’ Children from its current site at 121 N. Madison St. to a place inside of the Walker’s locale this summer.
Schauff emphasized that shoppers won’t observe a lot of other modifications at the business enterprise. Big draws such as the Carhartt products, tuxedoes and the shoe division will keep on being intact.
All of the present-day staff at Walker’s will stay beneath the new ownership, an arrangement that Schauff believes will be certain friends are greeted by common faces when checking out the store.
For the time currently being, that consists of Steve Walker himself, who will manage a presence at the store when it transitions to a new era.
Walker acknowledged that the extensive hrs tied to his profession typically have intended time absent from the loved ones. He credited his wife, Laurie, for choosing up the slack at residence when he was absent.
Stepping away from the company will be difficult for Walker.
“I have been performing in this article for a very long time,” he reported. “You satisfy a great deal of shoppers and make a lot of friendships that occur from this. It is a way of daily life.”
