By Mary Owen
After 32 years, Jensen-Kreitzer Family Clothing is closing its doors.
“We decided that now was the time to try something different in our lives,” said Todd Jensen, who owns the popular clothing store and Accents Northwest gift shop on Third Street with his wife, Karlene. “We are ready for a new challenge.”
The couple plans to close the store as soon as inventory and fixtures are sold. A “Retirement Sale” will start July 5, selling everything from wall-to-wall, Jensen said.
“It will last as long as we still have merchandise to sell,” he added. “This includes all the fixtures and supplies. All offers on the fixtures and furnishings will be welcomed. There are a lot of one-of-a-kind items that collectors may be interested in.”
Jensen said closing the store will be a hardship for many of their loyal customers, some of whom have are in shock at hearing the news.
“They are very sad to see us leave,” he said. “They know their buying habits have to change. They are happy for us in our moving on to different things and know we did not lightly make this decision.
“Our level of personal service is hard to come by in Salem,” he added. “It definitely will not be as convenient to buy, for many people.”
Jensen considered selling, but found it “difficult at this time to find anyone that has the resources or interest to take over a business of this type.” Independent clothing stores are becoming a thing of the past, he added.
“We have done it all,” he said. “We are the buyers, managers, decorators, sales people, janitors, bookkeepers and everything else that goes into running a small business.”
The couple got their retail feet wet after meeting in college in Portland and marrying in 1972 after dating one year. The couple lived in Gresham while Todd taught school and Karlene served as the secretary for a Circuit Court judge.
“We purchased Karlene’s parents’ men’s clothing store in 1981,” Jensen said. Of the Stayton store, he added, “A men’s store opened in 1945 where city hall is now located. Karl/Rosella bought it in 1960 and ran it until we purchased it from them. We then purchased Baldwin’s Dry Goods in 1983 from Clarence and June Baldwin. There has been a clothing store at this location since 1908. We are the last family-owned department store in the Northwest that we are aware of.”
Todd and Karlene agree that time has flown by fast during their years in Stayton, and they are grateful for all the support that has been given them.
“It seems like only yesterday we made the big moved from Gresham to here and began raising our family and getting involved in the community,” said Jensen, who grew up in Medford before meeting his wife, a Stayton girl.
“We will leave a lot of memories for sure!” he said, adding as for retiring, he said their plans are a “little vague at the moment.”
“We plan to take some time off until the end of the year, travel, visit family and play some golf,” he said. “Then we will make a decision on what our next career will be.”
