We are planning to put together a Ben Franklin Craft Store similar to the one in Oshkosh. Unfortunately. the Waupun market is too small to support a venture like this. Schanen said owners of the Waupun store sat down after the fire and asked themselves where they wanted to go with their business. I think we were one of the last Ben Franklin Family Centers in the state. To compete with the larger chain stores like Pamida, we were always changing the mix of our merchandise, adding to our craft lines and adding framing and gift items.
Competition forces everyone to change.
After examining market studies, the Schanens and the Perrys agreed that the pattern of change and growth shown in thriving Ben Franklin stores is in craft merchandise. The study pointed to Fond du Lac as a good market area. But we wanted to be honest with the community and let them know at this point that we have ruled out reopening the Ben Franklin in Waupun. It's hard to make a decision based on emotions, but rather on what the economy and what the future hold. We're just a family-run business trying to make a living.