The Wisconsin Craft Market, a nearly 31-year-old store and one of the last businesses at Westgate Mall, will be closing for good in late April after losing its lease. The owner, Paul Zarnikow, who is approaching his 69th birthday, noted on Facebook that trends in retail brick-and-mortar businesses around the country weren’t in his favor and it didn’t make sense to enter into a new long-term contract.
“I know there’s no turning back on the online shopping trend,” the post read, “but independent businesses are struggling.” He asked consumers to support local businesses. “We’re all in this together.”
Iowa-based Hy-Vee, which has a store at Westgate, owns the mall, and according to recent reports, has been looking to redevelop it.
A closeout sale will begin in March.
