Wolf & Son plans to leave Ashland
Wolf and Son, the shoe and apparel store that has been a downtown fixture for eight years, is going out of business.
But the closing has nothing to do with the financial challenges of operating a retail establishment in Ashland.
"A lot of money is going through here, no question," said Stephen Brawn, owner and manager of the downtown store (and one of the sons of the eponymous wolf). "A business can be viable here. Unfortunately, there is a huge amount of competition too."
The reason for closing the store is, rather, a personal one.
"The retail life was not what I expected it to be," said Brawn. He found it to be entirely too sedentary and is leaving in order to live a more active lifestyle. He plans to work in the construction field with friends in Bandon, where Wolf and Son's other store is located.
Brawn has set no firm and fast date for the store to close. He intends, instead, to simply sell out the merchandise. He expects the store will be emptied out and closed by mid-April.
At that point, the space's new tenant, Nancy Christman, will move in. Christman said she did not want to comment on what type of business she planned on opening in the space, once Wolf and Sons is closed for good.
