Mary Pieper

After nearly 80 years in business, Wilcox Furniture in Clear Lake will be closing soon.

“It’s just time for these walls to have a new owner,” said Janelle Sargent, the store’s owner.

Sargent and store manager Gene Madson have decided to retire.

“I’m not a young chicken anymore,” Madson said.

They’ve both been working at the store for more than 50 years, but as the daughter of former store owners Wayne and Nell Wilcox, Sargent’s ties to the business go back even farther.

Wendell and Lucille Wilcox, Sargent’s uncle and aunt, bought the furniture store at 418 Main Ave. from Bert Williams in 1947. The couple sold it to Sargent’s parents in 1952.

“I grew up in the store,” Sargent said. “I’ve been going to markets with my folks since I was 12.”

She began working regularly at

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