Merchandiser closes after printing final edition

After 73 years in business, the Merchandiser has closed its doors and is selling the company.

Owners Carol Smith, Sue Longenecker and George Kapp of Kapp Advertising Service Inc., which published the Merchandiser, said in a posted notice that the paper’s Dec. 27 edition would be the company’s last.

The notice said the owners had made the tough decision to put the business up for sale and stop printing the Merchandiser.

“Both owners and employees would like to thank our advertisers and readers…for your many years of loyal readership,” the notice said.

Prior to the Merchandiser’s closure, the free community paper was delivered weekly to 230,000 homes throughout central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, according to the company’s website.

The paper offered commercial and private party classified advertising, as well as weekly features including dining and entertainment, the cooking corner, obituaries and the community and public auction calendars. `

It was founded in 1948 by Lestor Benson and sold to Robert S. Kapp in 1950, when it had a circulation of 2,300 homes.

Initially located on West Main Street in Myerstown, the business eventually expanded to offer eight local editions in Western Berks, Hershey, Lebanon, Myerstown, Gettysburg, Hanover, Hampstead/Manchester, and Northern Adams/York.

At the time of closing, the Merchandiser operated out of two buildings — a 26,100-squarefoot industrial and office building at 100 E. Cumberland Street, Lebanon, and a 19,000-squarefoot warehouse at 6 Pine Street, Hanover.

The Lebanon location is listed for $1.85 million, and the Hanover location for $1.95 million, according to realtor Joshua Miller of Bennet William Commercial, which is handling the sale of the properties and business.

“We’ve had many showings at both properties already. There has been a lot of interest so far,” Miller said.

The business is selling for $750,000, and owners are also selling paper, ink, and other printing inventory for $140,000, and furniture, fixtures and equipment — such as trucks, printing presses, desks, and computers — for $1.4 million, according to Miller.

The Western Berks edition of the Merchandiser has been published since 1971.

It was delivered to 33,528 Berks households in Mohnton, Wernersville, Shillington, Sinking Spring, Wyomissing, West Lawn, West Reading, Reinholds, Morgantown, Robesonia, Womelsdorf, Reading, Mount Penn, Exeter, Denver and East Earl.