After 56 years, Breese Fine Furniture and Jan’s Uniforms preparing to say goodbye - Customer appreciation event planned for this Saturday

After more than five decades of serving the community, Breese Fine Furniture and Jan's Uniforms will officially close its doors on Aug. 28. A customer appreciation event is planned for this Saturday at 466 N. Fifth Street in Breese. Above is an undated photo of owner Mark Fuhler and his dad, the late Ralph Fuhler.    After more than five decades of serving the community, Breese Fine Furniture and Jan’s Uniforms will officially close its doors on Aug. 28, marking the end of a longtime family business in Breese.
    Owner Mark Fuhler announced his retirement earlier last month, describing the decision as one made after “much thought and consideration.”
    The closure marks the end of an era for the family-owned business that has been a staple in the Breese community for decades.
    The business originally opened as Breese Salvage on Oct. 16, 1970. It began as a partnership between Ralph Fuhler, Dennis Buchmiller and Hugo “Hooks” Weber, who had previously worked together at Freight Salvage in the 1960s.Ralph Fuhler later became the sole owner of the business and operated it until his retirement in 2001.
    Thirty years after Breese Salvage first opened, Ralph’s son, Mark, and his wife, Jan, purchased the business in 2000. Ralph officially retired the following year and passed away in 2009.
    In 2006, the business was renamed Breese Fine Furniture and Jan’s Uniforms.
    Since then, the store has continued serving the area with furniture, mattresses, nursing uniforms, nursing shoes and medical supplies.
    For Mark Fuhler, retirement comes after decades of dedication to the family business. He began working alongside his father in 1976 at just 16 years old and has spent nearly 50 years helping serve local customers.
    “Serving you over the years has been a true pleasure and privilege,” Fuhler shared in a message to customers. “This decision was not made lightly, but I am looking forward to the next chapter of life and spending more time with family and loved ones.”
    The store will continue accepting mattress orders through Aug. 15, while special orders for nursing uniforms will end after Aug. 1.
    As part of the farewell celebration, Breese Fine Furniture and Jan’s Uniforms will host a Customer Appreciation Sale and Raffle this Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the store, located at 466 N. Fifth Street in Breese.
    Customers attending the event will receive 20% off all in-store inventory, excluding mattresses. Free doughnuts and hot dogs also will be available during the sale.
    In addition, all visitors will receive a raffle entry, with customers making purchases earning an extra ticket. Prizes include gift certificates to several local businesses, including Dairy King, Glass and Auto Cosmetics, Popeye’s Chop House, Wally’s and more. In addition, you could receive two cases of bottled Ski from Excel, and store gift certificates to Breese Fine Furniture and Jan’s Uniforms.
    Fuhler expressed sincere gratitude to the customers and community members who supported the business throughout the years and encouraged residents to continue supporting local businesses.
    “Thank you for being part of this journey,” the announcement stated. “Please share to spread the word.”