Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 7:01 AM EDT Sep 5, 2019
Closing a business is never easy, but it might be especially hard at a whimsical place called Scatter Joy.
It’s a Grand Chute gift and home décor shop that sold items with mottos like “happy everything” and “it’s okay to have too much fun.”
The next month and a half likely will not be much fun for owner Susan Krahn.
The shop at 1879 N. Casaloma Drive closes Oct. 19.
“It’s a bittersweet thing,” she said.
She bought the store in 2013 from founders Janet Garrison and Lori Dudley. That was only two years after Krahn lost her husband to a sudden heart attack.
“I’m an example of living in the moment. Life is so short,” she said. “It was a gamble to take over the store from my dear friends Lori and Janet. But it was creative and was therapy for me. I literally love scattering the joy.”
Now, with another ill family member, her duties ramping up as solo parent to three busy kids and a lease about to expire, Krahn found it was time to step away from retail. She tried to sell the business, but didn’t find a buyer.
“I had to make a personal decision and take care of myself,” she said. “I did a great job and I’m happy with my achievements. I’ve shown my children what you can achieve.”
She said the closure was not due to a lack of sales. It was actually one of the longest-lasting shops in the Trasino area, along with businesses like Branching Out and the New York Deli. Scatter Joy had a loyal customer base and expanded twice in its 15 years.
Gift cards must be used by the store’s closing day, Oct. 19.
Those who find they have just a few dollars left on gift cards can scatter joy forward, she said, by leaving the cards for the next customers.
Have a story idea or business question? Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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