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Winslow town fixture, Marvin Snyder, closes
the family store after 88 years.
Except for college (accounting
degree from Indiana University) followed by an Army stint that landed him
on Normandy's beaches a week after the initial invasion, Marvin Snyder has
spent his life in this town of 881.
He came home from World War II to help run Snyder's, a department store
his parents, Joe and Bess, began in 1916.
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After running Snyder's, the department store his parents began in 1916 in
Winslow, Ind., for most of his life, Marvin Snyder retired recently after
celebrating his 83rd birthday. Snyder greets newcomers from across the
room as he catches up with longtime friends Christine and Lendon Toms at
his retirement party during his last week of work.
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After the fire, Snyder kept his business open to fill special orders
and run the service department, which repaired any appliance purchased
during the store's long history. With plenty of empty space to fill,
Snyder tries to sell a family member's used refrigerator and air
conditioner to customer Rodney Dixon.
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After a fire destroyed a block of buildings in downtown Winslow, Snyder
lost not only his business but also his home of 67 years. Several days
after the fire, Snyder tries to salvage a blanket among the rubble of what
was once the living room of his second-floor apartment. |
At 83 years old, Marvin Snyder finally closes the doors to Snyder's
department store. Family friend Sonja Eskind wishes him luck as begins his
retirement with a trip to Washington, D.C., for the dedication of the
World War II Memorial.
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Recently, the 83-year-old Snyder, a bachelor
with lively blue eyes, a humble demeanor and a penchant for golf, closed
his store for the final time.
Snyder said the fire actually delayed his retirement plans, because
he had a deal to sell the business and it fell through as a result of the
blaze. "It's difficult," he admitted. "I wish I had
somebody here to carry on, at least the appliance services ... but it
doesn't do any good to dwell on things I can't do anything about." |
