LA GRANDE — After more than 40 years of offering home furnishings in La Grande, Self Service Furniture-Courtesy Home Furnishings, 2216 Adams Ave., is closing its doors permanently.

Property owner Ross Dowdy, of Clarkston, Washington, is retiring, and his son and business manager, Trevor Dowdy, of Lewiston, Idaho, will own and manage the remaining three home furnishing stores in Baker City, Clarkston and Lewiston, Idaho.

“The La Grande store is the family’s oldest store, a business my father started in 1982,” Trevor Dowdy said.

When Ross Dowdy purchased the property, it had been home to a recreational venue called the Skatin’ Gator, a trendy roller-skating rink that opened about 1978 during the “roller disco” era, which peaked in 1980. It was a large rink with flashing disco lights, and it included a hamburger concession stand and a small arcade.

An examination of newspaper articles showed that roller-skating long before roller disco was a hugely popular pastime for decades, and even small Union County communities like Cove, Imbler and Elgin had their own rinks.

When Ross Dowdy purchased the Skatin’ Gator property, he transformed it into a successful home furnishings retail store. Trevor Dowdy said he and his family lived in La Grande until he was 8. The Dowdy family then moved to Walla Walla, and when Trevor was 16, the family relocated to Clarkston, Washington, where another store was established.

Trevor Dowdy said he grew up in the family business — literally a home away from home, complete with every type of furniture and mattress one could imagine. So, when he reached 18, he chose to continue working full time in the business. Now at 28, he reflects on the past 10 years with sentimentality.

“Managing the stores involves some traveling, but I love it. I love my job, and I love furniture,” Trevor Dowdy said. “A local buyer stepped forward to purchase the La Grande store property, and my father thought it was a good time to retire. The closing on the sale of the property will happen just after the retirement sale ends.”

During the past seven years, Ross Dowdy has been semi-retired, with Trevor Dowdy conducting the day-to-day management of the family business.

“So, his retirement is kind of official now,” Trevor Dowdy said of his father, Ross.

Two long-term employees have assisted in operating the La Grande store, Craig Clack, store manager, and Logan Gannon. Both will stay employed by Trevor Dowdy. Clack will transfer to Courtesy Home Furnishings in Baker City and Gannon will transfer to either the Baker City or Clarkston store.

“The retirement sale is kind of bittersweet,” Dowdy said.

The business has enjoyed a loyal following, he said, and many have told him they are sad to see the store close.

“The La Grande community is such a wonderful community, and I want to give a big thanks for their support and the shopping local that La Grande customers have done over so many years,” he said. “It’s been a fun market. There’s not a friendlier town that I know of.”