Stavenhagen Video shutting down

Clarendon’s main street will have one fewer businesses in a short time after Stavenhagen Video owner Bill Stavenhagen announced this week that he will soon be closing his doors.

The local RadioShack franchise was not among the 1,700 company-owned stores being shuttered by the electronics giant this year, but Stavenhagen said franchises like his may soon feel the impact of the national chain’s financial struggle.

“If they cut us [franchises] loose, we’ll have two problems,” Stavenhagen said. “We’ll lose name recognition, and we would have to find a new supplier or multiple suppliers.”

After 27 years, Stavenhagen says he has no complaints about his relationship with RadioShack. Instead, he says the Internet was ultimately the demise of his store with Netflix cutting into the video rental business and shoppers saving money online.

“The Internet killed us,” he said. “I never thought it would happen. At Christmas everyone goes online to beat the crowds. That hurts Amarillo stores, but it really hurts local businesses.”

Stavenhagen said some people may not realize how lucky they have been to have had a RadioShack in Clarendon for so long, but he also said he can’t blame people for wanting to save money.

Stavenhagen returned to Clarendon 34 years ago to lay carpet and to partner with his brother, Mac, in Stavenhagen Furniture before opening a RadioShack franchise on Kearney Street in 1988. He later merged his stored with the Clarendon Outpost for 9½ years before returning downtown.

He said he truly appreciates the customers he has through the years.

“It’s been a good run. I haven’t gotten rich, but I made a living for 34 years,” he said. “Clarendon is a nice place to raise a family, to live, and to retire. I want to thank my customers for their support over the years.”

Stavenhagen Video will hold a going out of business sale in the near future. After that, Stavenhagen says he plans to retire.

“It’s a new chapter in my life, and I’m kind of excited about it,” he said.