Bettendorf Office Products at 3280 Middle Road, Bettendorf, is being sold, and its retail office space will close no later than Aug. 15, according to Steve Hershberger, the company’s sales manager.
The office products division of the Bettendorf business is being sold to Office Express of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The sale is expected to be complete by July 31. No financial details were disclosed.
Bettendorf Office Products made the business change announcement on its Facebook page earlier this month. Part of that announcement included: “We will continue to be known as Bettendorf Office Products/Office Express and Steve Hershberger will continue to serve you as Sales Mgr. Expect the same great service and product selection! BOP will be closing the brick and mortar store on Middle Rd.”
However, Bettendorf Office Products’ sister business, Evergreen Arts Works Frame Shop & Printing Center – currently located in the same Middle Road location – will remain open, but at a new location.
Mr. Hershberger told the QCBJ on Thursday, June 29, that Evergreen will move to a new location sometime between July 31 and Aug. 15. He added the new location has not been finalized yet, but it will probably remain in Bettendorf.
When Evergreen moves into a new business home, Mr. Hershberger will work out of that site with the new Bettendorf Office Products/Office Express operation.
“Times are changing. This is how we can do it on our terms. For us, it’s a celebration,” Mr. Hershberger said.
He added that since the business change became known, many of its longtime customers have expressed sadness. But many are grateful knowing the business will continue with a new owner, Mr. Hershberger said.
“We are thankful to have served the Quad Cities for 47 years and hope to continue to do so in the new format,” the company said on its Facebook page.
Bettendorf Office Products sells a wide variety of office products, computer supplies, office furniture and much more, according to the business website.
Evergreen specializes in art, farming and art supplies. According to the business website.
Evergreen has an extensive art gallery as well as a wide selection of additional items including Melissa & Doug toys, coloring books for all ages, drafting supplies, and handmade papers.
Bettendorf Office Products was founded in 1976 by Al and Betty Steinbrecher.
In 1984, their son, Mark, opened Evergreen Art Works next door to their location in Bettendorf. Soon after, daughters Catherine and Liz joined the family business as well as Catherine’s husband, Steve Hershberger, and cousin Bruce Batten.
BOP and Evergreen Art Works grew to encompass 12,000 square feet of retail space. In 2006, the family built a new location on Bettendorf’s Middle Road, according to the company’s website.
The new owners of BOP – Office Express – started in business in 1986, shortly after KDC Office Products began in the early 1980s.
Office Express Office bought Voelkers Office Products in 1998.
