FORT WORTH -- Marvin Electronics, one of Fort Worth's oldest independent electronics stores, will close its doors at the end of March after 65 years in business.
Owner Stuart Schuster and his wife, Ricki, have decided to spend more time with their grandchildren and get more involved with the family's commercial real estate holdings. The decision was spurred by Spec's Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods, which wants to lease the 20,000-square-foot space at 2750 S. Hulen St. The Houston-based liquor retailer has been opening locations in Dallas."We've had a great opportunity to lease our great location," said Schuster, who has run the family-owned business for several decades. "They actually approached us. It happened to be very good timing."Marvin Electronics was founded by Stuart's father, Marvin, in 1947 on University Drive near Texas Christian University. The store expanded to two locations before settling on Hulen Street in 1997. Marvin Schuster died in 2008.Ricki Schuster, who has also been involved in the store, will likely retire. Stuart Schuster said he will continue in the audio/video industry as a consultant, but plans to work on commercial properties that he owns with his brothers and cousins. Marvin Electronics did custom installations among its services.Schuster, 64, said his parents always advised their sons to put some of their profits into real estate."It worked out pretty good," he said.The Schusters also want to see their four grandchildren, ages 9, 8, 7 and 6, more often."We love spending time with them. When you're in retail, you work a lot," Schuster said.Some of the store's 18 employees will work at iWire in Fort Worth, a company that specializes in audio/video, residential lighting and electrical work, said Schuster, who will also consult for the company. He has been referring customers there."I feel an obligation to my customers, too," said Schuster, noting that some are third and fourth generation.The store will close March 31. Spec's will do some work on the building, but Schuster doesn't know when it will open."We're going to have a great store closing sale," he said.Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727Twitter: @SandraBakerFWSTHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
