SHERMAN, TX--They've been in business for more than four decades, but now they're closing their doors for good. A chapter of Sherman history will finally come to an end. The owners say it's time for everything in their store to go, including themselves.
From desks to plates, Haring Office Equipment in Sherman has sold it all. They still have a typewriter.
"I just saw one on the counter over there. I have no idea where it came from. It's a little Smith Corona portable typewriter," Bob West said, owner.
Bob and Veneta West say it's been at least 15 years since someone bought one of those. For more than four decades, their store has stood across the street from the Grayson County Courthouse.
Now, they say they're closing for good.
"Customers were disappointed," Veneta West said, owner. "This had been a part of Sherman for many many years."
In addition to office supplies, the store also sold dishes, trinkets...and even Beanie Babies.
"When the Gift House became available, we purchased that," Veneta said.
That's when holiday items started appearing in the same place as office chairs and writing utensils.
"They had memories too of what they purchased and what their daughter got, being a bride registered here, and she got all of her China, all of her crystal here," Veneta said.
Because he liked Sherman, Bob West left his job with Johnson & Johnson and bought the office supply store from the Haring family in 1975.
"Met Haring, had bought lots of furniture from Haring," Bob West said.
A year later, they moved to their current location on North Travis Street. They've been on the square ever since.
"We raised our son and daughter here. They went to Sherman High School. Chuck played football and our daughter was the first mascot for Sherman High school. So she was the first bearcat," Bob West said.
Marked down 70, even 80 percent, the West couple says everything must go. Including themselves.
"We chose to close our store because we really felt like that God had a calling in our life and that was for us to carry the good news of Jesus Christ," Bob West said.
The Wests want to become full time missionaries. Bob took his first trip to Cuba in 2001.
"That was a monumental change for my own personal life," Bob West said.
He's been there 25 times since.
"I've gone to China, to Russia, many times to Central Asia. I'm working a lot now in India, in Nepal, in Bangladesh," Bob West said.
And sometimes, Veneta travels with Bob.
"It is exciting to be able to help these women," Veneta West said.
She currently runs a women's ministry.
"42, 43 years of business. So, the sooner that we can dispose of the inventory the better for us. Just to be able to close this chapter of our life," Bob West said.
It's a gift that can't be sold in a store.
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