127-Year-Old Furniture Retail Icon Meiselwitz Furniture Shuts Down Permanently as Owners Retire — No Bankruptcy Filed

KIEL, WISCONSIN — In a historic moment marking the end of a retail era, Meiselwitz Furniture — a furniture retailer with deep roots in its community since 1898 — announced that it will be closing its doors for good after 127 years in business. The decision comes as owners Michael Curry and William Curry Jr. prepare to retire following a lifetime of family stewardship.

Meiselwitz Furniture revealed the closure in a Christmas Eve social media announcement, stating that its liquidation sale began on December 26, with all fine furniture and home décor being sold at significantly discounted prices. The statement from the company made clear that the closure is not tied to bankruptcy, but rather to the owners’ decision to retire and wind down operations in an orderly manner.

A Legacy Spanning Four Generations

Founded in 1898 by C.J. Meiselwitz, the store originally served as both a furniture outlet and undertaking business — a common combination at the turn of the 20th century. Over the decades, the company remained anchored at its original location at 328 Fremont Street in Kiel, Wisconsin, becoming a beloved local institution and a symbol of enduring small-business success.

The store stayed within the family through successive generations. In 1922, ownership passed to Henry Meiselwitz, followed by his grandson William Carl Curry in 1958, who separated the furniture operation from the mortuary business. In 1975, Curry’s sons — Michael and William Jr. — took the helm, continuing the legacy for nearly half a century until this year’s retirement decision.

“This business has always been about more than furniture,” said Michael Curry, reflecting on the company’s deep ties to customers, employees, and the greater community. “We retire with deep gratitude for the customers, employees, and neighbors who have supported our family for so many years.”

Impact on Community and Market

The closure of Meiselwitz Furniture marks the end of a remarkable chapter in American retail history. As one of the longest continuously operating independent furniture stores in the country, the company was known for personalized service, quality merchandise, and its community involvement — including sponsoring local sports teams and supporting cultural events in Kiel.

Local patrons and longtime customers have expressed admiration for the store’s legacy, with many sharing memories of family visits to the showroom and celebrating the store’s place in the fabric of community life. The store’s inventory — which includes well-known furniture brands — is being offered at “sacrifice prices,” drawing both loyal regulars and bargain-seeking visitors to the liquidation sale. TheStreet

No Bankruptcy Filing — A Planned Closure

Unlike many other retailers in recent years that have closed due to financial distress or bankruptcy, Meiselwitz Furniture’s shutdown is a planned and voluntary exit. The owners emphasized that the business will simply cease operations once inventory is sold and the sale concludes. No bankruptcy filing is associated with this closure.

In a broader context, the furniture retail industry has faced heightened challenges over recent decades, including competition from large national chains, online retailers, inflationary costs, and shifting consumer behavior. However, Meiselwitz’s closure stands apart as a legacy-driven retirement choice rather than a response to insolvency pressures. Meyka