Staff writer
A unique local business, part of the Marion landscape for three years, is closing its doors.
Prairie Oak Alpaca Farm store has had a “for sale” sign in front for a couple of weeks.
Owner Jeff Methvin said he and his wife, Laurie, want to scale back and make life simpler so they can focus on other things important to them, such as being free to travel.
Both owners work, Jeff at St. Luke Hospital and Laurie at a Hutchinson clinic. A son lives in Texas and it would be nice to spend more time there instead of overseeing the operation of a retail business, Methvin said.
“We’ll still be having alpaca products made, it’s just that they won’t be sold in a store,” Methvin said. “I’m hoping somebody will take it over and start a little shop.”
It’s not a sudden decision, Methvin said. The couple has contemplated selling the building for some time.
“We’ll probably do a few craft shows with alpaca products or have a few of them at the farm,” Methvin said.
The Methvins’ alpaca farm is a couple miles north of Peabody.
The building has had several retail tenants and was once a doctor’s office.
“Obviously, the size kind of limits it,” said Marion economic director Randy Collett. “The thing I’m hoping for is we find some kind of boutique business, kind of like their alpaca shop. The location lends itself to that.”