An Atlantic family-owned hardware store in existence for 79-years, and in Cass County for 98-years, is closing its doors. Jack Jensen, owner of Robinson True Value Hardware on Chestnut Street, formally announced today (Friday), that he’s going out of business, effective June 30th. Jensen said the business wasn’t always located in Atlantic. It was originally located in Wiota in 1920. The business moved to Atlantic in 1939. Jack’s dad, Rodney Jensen took over running the business from Bruce Robinson and bought it in the mid-1960’s. Jack said he spent his time playing and having fun in the store when he was growing up.
Robinson True Value owner Jack Jensen talks about the store’s closing in June.
He’s also seen political celebrities walk through his doors, including Walter Mondale, who served as Vice President under President Jimmy Carter, in the mid-70’s. Jack has worked in the store for 44-years. His dad worked there for 54-years. Jack over the business when his dad developed cancer. He took a hardship deferment from Arizona State University and planned to spend just a few weeks running the business, but that turned into decades. Now, he’s closing up shop in June due to his own health and other reasons. He said he had a heart attack in January, and that “Put the icing on the cake.” He attributed the decision also, to a lack of foot traffic in the store over the past couple of years due to on-line sales and big box stores. Jensen said it’s hard for a brick and mortar store to compete. It wasn’t always that way, though. He said “Things were good for a long-long time…but the times…we just started to see the wave.”
Jack said also, he put in 60-hours per week-plus for 40-years, at the store, and that’s taken away time from his family. His kids, he said, don’t want to take over the business for that very reason. He said he’s only taken one two-week vacation his entire life, and plans to take this summer off. Both he and his dad were always active in the community, and in fact both served as Presidents of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.
In order to help liquidate his inventory, Robinson’s will offer big discounts beginning May 1st. The store itself is also for sale. Jensen wants to thank his customers and his five employees for their patronage and service. One of the customers, who died recently at the age of 100, had conducted business at the store for more than 44-years. Jack said he was honored to be an honorary pallbearer at her funeral. He also thanked his employees for their hard work. There will be a party at the Elk’s Club June 30th, with a live band to celebrate the business’ storied history Jack’s retirement. More details will be released at a later date.
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