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The Den closes shop

Submitted by Jesse Russell on Thu, 2005-08-11 10:11. Current | Market

dencloses081205.jpgAnother (maybe not so locally owned as previously thought, see comments below - thanks my fact checking friend - however, open for 29 years says something) business has closed on State Street. The Den, previously located at 74 University Square and 555 State St., was one of many convenience stores offering common dorm room needs for college students on campus. In addition, the store carried a heavy selection of Wisconsin souvenirs (much like many businesses on our infamous pedestrian - bike - big truck - bus street). The Den was probably most well known to those passing by for their at times creative displays in the window promoting new CD releases. The store also boasted 59-minute photo developing. In case you had dropped off a roll, don't worry, the Den passed them on to the Stop and Shop at 501 State Street. The Den will now join other recent additions in the State Street graveyard including Roses-R-Red, Canterbury Books, Dancing Bean Coffee House and Peacemeal. Now the waiting game begins to find out what chain store or chain restaurant will move in to take its place and blot out another small piece of State Street character.

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Re: locally-owned, really?

Submitted by Shane Wealti on Thu, 2005-08-11 22:24.
hmmmgrrrr wrote:
http://www.discountden.com/Muncie/stores.asp
I'm pretty sure the guy who owns it lives in Madison. His son who managed one of the stores definitely does live here. Tomorrow I can ask someone who used to work there if the owner lives in the Madison area or not.

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The Den is registered as a

Submitted by Lisa S on Thu, 2005-08-11 23:39.

The Den is registered as a domestic LLC with no listing as "foreign to Wisconsin" which is the notation used for corporations based out of state. The registered agent's office is listed in Madison, and no out-of-area principal office is listed.

Could it be a franchise with a local owner?

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Re: The Den is registered as a

Submitted by Shane Wealti on Fri, 2005-08-12 06:44.
Lisa S wrote:
The Den is registered as a domestic LLC with no listing as "foreign to Wisconsin" which is the notation used for corporations based out of state. The registered agent's office is listed in Madison, and no out-of-area principal office is listed.

Could it be a franchise with a local owner?

That might be it. I'll find out later today.

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yes, really...

Submitted by fighting17th on Fri, 2007-06-01 22:43.

I know this is almost two years old...

The Den was locally owned. I know because I worked there from 2000 til 2004. I was one of the original 59 minute photo guys.

Tim, who owned both places, was a partner with someone else back in the day when they owned "The Discount Den" name. They were head shops like Pipefitter, and they were located in college towns. Tim bought out his share and incorporated as "The Den" and turned it into more of a c-store. The store did well until around 2003 when the college students seemed to find other places to shop. Blame it on the economy at the time, greater access to vehicular transportation, or something else, but our business decreased, which caused us to raise prices, which caused us to loose more business. That and the whole tearing down USquare didn't help.

Whether you liked the Den or not, it was a good job with great people.

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