Lauren McLaughlin, 27, right, shares a light moment with her grandmother, Mary Thomas, at the front of the Ben Franklin store in downtown Mineral Point. Thomas, 74, who began working at the store in 1971, will retire on Wednesday. The store is being sold but it is unclear if it will remain one of the few Ben Franklin stores in the state.
This building in downtown Mineral Point was constructed in 1864 and has been home to general stores and bookshops over the years. For over 60 years, the building has been home to a Ben Franklin store.
Cory Bennett, left, executive director of the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce, and Joy Geiseke, the former Chamber director, are both concerned about the vibrancy of their city’s historic downtown, which has more buildings than most communities its size.
Mary Thomas walks down the toys and games aisle at the Ben Franklin in downtown Mineral Point. Thomas, 74, began working at the store in 1971 when she was 19 years old.
Lauren McLaughlin, who works at the Ben Franklin with her grandmother, looks over a rack of sewing thread in the store. The retailer also sells yarn, fabric, toys, household goods, cards, candy and other items.
Mary Thomas, left, chats with longtime customer Betty Ivey, who had stopped into the Ben Franklin to buy a cover for her ironing board. Ivey has been shopping at the store for over 50 years.
Lauren McLaughlin, 27, right, shares a light moment with her grandmother, Mary Thomas, at the front of the Ben Franklin store in downtown Mineral Point. Thomas, 74, who began working at the store in 1971, will retire on Wednesday. The store is being sold but it is unclear if it will remain one of the few Ben Franklin stores in the state.
This building in downtown Mineral Point was constructed in 1864 and has been home to general stores and bookshops over the years. For over 60 years, the building has been home to a Ben Franklin store.
Mary Thomas walks down the toys and games aisle at the Ben Franklin in downtown Mineral Point. Thomas, 74, began working at the store in 1971 when she was 19 years old.
Cory Bennett, left, executive director of the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce, and Joy Geiseke, the former Chamber director, are both concerned about the vibrancy of their city’s historic downtown, which has more buildings than most communities its size.
Lauren McLaughlin, who works at the Ben Franklin with her grandmother, looks over a rack of sewing thread in the store. The retailer also sells yarn, fabric, toys, household goods, cards, candy and other items.
Mary Thomas, left, chats with longtime customer Betty Ivey, who had stopped into the Ben Franklin to buy a cover for her ironing board. Ivey has been shopping at the store for over 50 years.
