Quinby owners weigh iconic structure’s future
With Everything Rubbermaid’s recent announcement that its store in downtown Wooster is closing, owners Matthew Long and Chad Boreman have vowed to preserve the structure built in 1887 for future generations.
When Newell Brands announced plans to close its iconic Everything Rubbermaid Store in the heart of downtown Wooster, the decision came as a surprise to the building’s owners — local attorney Matthew Long and wealth manager Chad Boreman, both lifelong residents of Wooster and Wayne County who purchased the Quinby building in 2018.
For many reasons Long and Boreman purchased the building to ensure this iconic structure will remain under local ownership and control.
“Both Matt and I are former chairs of Main Street Wooster, and we want to make sure our downtown remains vibrant and continues to thrive,” Boreman said. “We are passionate about downtown Wooster, and we are very excited about the future of the Quinby building.”
“Soon after acquisition,” Long said, “we reached out to Newell Brands and expressed our commitment to keeping the Everything Rubbermaid store as a fixture of downtown Wooster. Newell Brands was welcome to remain in the Quinby building indefinitely with our full support.”
While there are many uncertainties related to the next phase of the building’s history, one thing is for sure: The Quinby building will be preserved for future generations.
“When we purchased the Quinby building, we knew there would likely come a day when the Everything Rubbermaid would close,” Long said. “We’ve already engaged architects and other professionals to help us evaluate the best options for the future of the building.”
The building was constructed in 1887 by Ephraim Quinby and housed The William Annat Co., a dry goods store that sold high grade products for nearly 100 years.
Annat’s closed in 1991, and Everything Rubbermaid opened in 1993. The late Lud Huck, a former Rubbermaid vice president, created the store’s concept to test the sales and marketing of new products. Rubbermaid would open other stores but eventually closed them, leaving the Wooster location as the last operating location.
Although no decisions have been made, Boreman said, “We have an interest in restoring the historic façade of the Quinby building,” which will involve removal of the current awning and repainting of the exterior of the building.
Long and Boreman are conscious that the Quinby building is a central fixture of downtown Wooster and are carefully considering the impact of any future tenants on the Wooster community.
“It is prudent not to rush into a decision as to our future plans,” Long said. “We want to make the best choice that will guide the use of the building for the next century.”