By Carolyn Lee
The Imperial Republican
The doors were locked and the telephone was disconnected June 22 at Carman’s Appliance. After 30 years, Doug and Becky Carman are “ready for a break and to do something different.”
Carmans sold their building at 533 Broadway to Aaron and Michelle Troxell of Troxell’s Heating & Appliance of Imperial.
Troxells have been renting a building at 613 Broadway from Terry Newman. They plan to move to their new location in late August or the first of September, following some renovation.
Doug Carman began working for Robb’s Appliance about eight years before purchasing Southwest Plumbing and Electric from Leonard Jones at 12th and Broadway in 1983.
In 1987 they leased with an option to purchase their present location from Willard Rouze. Rouze had celebrated 100 years as Rouze Hardware in the building.
Carman’s offered heating and air conditioning sales and installation, appliances, plumbing and service, until recently.
They sold their inventory to Troxells, minus plumbing supplies.
Becky said she and Doug are “letting go at the right time.” She said business was always good, they always had plenty to do, and it’s time for young people to take over.
“Doug has been 38 years in this line of business. We want to do something different while we can. We’re too young to retire.”
Future plans depend on job opportunities, Becky said. “If there’s something here, we’d consider staying. If not, we’ll move to Rapid City (S.D.),” where their daughter and family live.
Becky and Doug travel to Rapid City occasionally to see granddaughters and to replenish a booth in an antique mall that Becky and friends Cate Weiss and Peggy Smith contribute to.
Becky said she didn’t realize how many people she saw every day at work. “I’ll miss the people I visited with,” she said.
On the other hand, the couple has just begun enjoying having lunch at home, rather than on the job.
Michelle Troxell said Troxell’s will continue to offer heating and air conditioning service and installation, household appliances, garbage disposals, hot water heaters and window air conditioners.
Carman’s employee Kelsey Weiss will begin working for Troxell’s Monday. He joins Aaron, Brett Harmon and Troy Brown as service technicians.