FRIDGE WAS FULL — AND FOR SALE — AS KNAPPS WELCOMED FRIENDS, PAST CUSTOMERS IN DAY OF APPRECIATION AS THEY END 76 YEARS IN BUSINESS END OF JULY
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — It was a bit like an old home week for Greg and Colleen Knapp Saturday as they held an end of business social and sale.
After 76 years Knapp’s Furniture and Appliances is closing at the end of the month.
And the store was busy all day with “a ton” well-wishers, former customers, “Mayor Heidi Lorenz all the councillors” and lots of new bargain hunters eyeing the remaining clearance couches, La-Z-Boy chairs, lamps, pictures, washers, dryers and stoves joined in the a celebration of arguably the oldest still operating business in Gravenhurst.
Like any good party the action was around the kitchen where the fridge was full of food and drinks organized by their son and daughter Jeff and Kirsten Knapp.
And this one was for sale — half off at $549.
“It’s our last loaner,” said Colleen adding they offered it out for customers with a broken appliance while they awaited delivery of new one.
“One of three we had from COVID when we couldn’t get replacements,” said Greg.
That brought back many fond — if back-breaking memories — for Greg who recalls hauling fridges and stoves up stairs and out on the lakes by boats onto islands.
He’s done with that heavy lifting — letting his younger, fitter staff carry out the last of the furniture and appliances as they wind down to “retirement in the near future.”
High school friends and classmates like Brian Whitehead dropped in to offer their best.
And look at old photos including one of a legion hockey team their fathers Chum Whitehead and Al Knapp played on.
Al opened the store in 1949 after moving to town from up north to play for the Intermediate Indians.
Like many families in town the Whiteheads shopped there and before his death Chummy got a La-Z-Boy chair to watch his favourite Hockey Night in Canada games on TV.
Gone, though, were all the records that decades ago brought in the teens and music lovers in search of the latest ’60s-’70s hits.
Greg and Colleen welcomed everyone and look forward to seeing more old and new friends before they close up shop for a well-deserved rest.
Gravenhurt’s main street won’t be the same without the mainstays of the community core.
They aren’t sure about what will replace their west corner space at Muskoka Road and Hotchkiss Street.
But it will be hard to beat for families starting out or living a life with furniture and appliances that don’t come with Swedish instructions.
Drop in and say good-bye.
They still have that loaner fridge.
Just check inside to make sure the food and drink are gone.
If not enjoy a cool one on the Knapps who plan to do a little stay-cation vacationng the rest of the summer.
The store is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday the rest of the month.
But the plan to post an inventory in their front window of items left over.
Along with their phone, text and email contacts: 705-687-2217 and knapps@bellnet.ca
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