Wheeler’s in Basin Closing

The operators of Wheeler’s IGA in Basin have decided to close their doors.
The Basin Republican-Rustler reports that the owner of the building received notification of the planned closure on Thursday, November 15th. Employees were notified on Friday the 16th, and for most of them, their jobs ended on Sunday the 18th. Just three employees remained.
Owner Ann Brundage’s grandfather, Joseph Wheeler, opened the store more than 100 years ago. She told the newspaper that the business started as a meat market and then a meat locker plant, before evolving into a grocery store. Four generations of the family worked in the store, before they leased it Dick Peterson, who then turned it over to the Durbin family.
JR Durbin said his plan is to sell as much of the stock he has and then to also sell the equipment they own. He cited expenses from major repairs that left them with an unsustainable debt load as the primary reason for the closure, adding that he is hopeful that he and his wife will be able to find jobs in the area.