After 63 years of business, Parker Appliance and Furniture Co. has decided to close.
It has gotten harder to find good quality American-made wood furniture that people could afford. Almost all wood furniture is being imported.
Financing and collecting has become very difficult.
I want to thank Dr. Wade Parker and Ann Buchanan, current owners, and the employees of Parker–Carolyn Haynes, Mary Robertson, Bill Wykoff, Ann Redwine, Fred Nance, Louis Perry, and Jimmy Webber.
A special thanks goes to my wife, Mildred Jean, who did everything to help our customers.
I am going to miss the business–especially our customers.
So after working 57 years at Parker, I have decided it is time to spend time with our sons, Doug and Wayne, and the grandchildren Taylor, Steven, Kyle, Zach, and Carley and my great-granddaughter Anna Madison.
My wife and I are planning on traveling and riding our yellow Gold Wing with our Gold Wing buddies.
Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way.
Howard Robertson, Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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