We Are Losing A North Dakota Scheels Store

Scheels Announces a Closure

I was watching the TV News last night, and anytime my favorite store is mentioned, it tends to get my attention. I heard the tease, "Scheels announces that they will be closing a store that has been in business since the early 1930s." Nearly a century of serving this North Dakota city. That is a long time for sure.

Scheels Home & Hardware is Closing in Fargo, North Dakota

According to our friends at KVRR-TV, Scheels will be closing their Home & Hardware store that is located at 3202 13th Ave South, Fargo, North Dakota, after nearly a century in business. This store was Scheels' last remaining hardware store for the employee-owned and operated company. This store is expected to close by the end of the year.

The History of Scheels in North Dakota

According to the Scheels' website, the Scheels dynasty all began when German immigrant Frederick A. Scheel moved to Sabin, Minnesota, and opened up a small hardware and general merchandise store. He used the money he made from his first harvest as a potato farmer to purchase the store.

The torch would then be passed on to his son, as Frederick M Scheel would take over operation of the store in 1919 after returning from World War I. Then, the expansion of Scheels would begin. Between 1927 and 1930, Scheels would purchase a hardware store in Moorhead, Minnesota, and soon expand the business into Fargo, North Dakota, which would become the future flagship location. The rest is history, as they say.

The Decision on the Closure

According to the Scheels Chief Employee Owner, Matt Hanson, the decision is based solely on the evolution of our business over time, and not a reflection of their Home & Hardware associates. They want to focus on Scheels core business going forward. Scheels hopes to be able to transfer the employees from their Home & Hardware store to their other 34 stores across the country. Scheels currently employs over 13,000 people in 16 states.