Former garment factory building on the north side of Crane is for sale
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Kadee Brosseau DeCourley
The old garment factory, as most people around Crane know it, is for sale.
Most recently, the building was used as a custom hot rod shop, but it is currently vacant. It has been vacant since the fall of 2021. The building, located at 504 Airport Road, and everything left inside will soon be sold at an auction.
Many still remember the building in its “hay-day,” when it was GB’s Garment Factory. Susie Cox worked there in the early to mid-1980s.
“[We did] belt loops, back pockets, one time we made skirts that were a soft chambray. They were three tiers. I hated doing those,” Cox remembered.
Charlotte Akins said she worked there in 1975 for a few months.
“It was my first job here when I moved from Illinois. I was 18 years old,” Akins remembered. “I worked in the back room on the zipper line. Hazel Murray was the lead person on the line. I just loved her. Such a nice lady.”
Cox said the job was close to home, which made it convenient for her and many other locals who found employment at the factory.
“At that time the job market wasn’t the best,” Cox said. “It provided jobs for women in the area, and also men. It was an important part of the community, helping to provide income to many homes in the area.”
While Cox can’t remember exactly what caused the factory to close in Crane, she believes it was due to the company outsourcing work outside the country. While the building has housed other businesses, including an embroidery business, since the factory’s closing, it has been vacant for nearly a year and is now in need of some repairs.
According to the auction company, “The building is a 30,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on 3.10 acres. [The] roof and office area needs repair.”
Cox said she hopes the building is purchased and used for the betterment of the Crane community.
“Whether it is something for entertainment, or a business, or even a factory, I just hope it doesn’t sit there and decay into ruin, and go the way of the casket factory,” Cox said.
Cox certainly isn’t alone in hoping for the best for the property. People have spoken out on social media with similar sentiments.
“I would love to see a community recreation facility open in the old garment factory! The surrounding communities need somewhere to gather for indoor fun and social gatherings,” Staci Young said. “Vacant buildings provide no revenue for the city/community. They also do not enhance the beauty of our small town, or encourage patrons to return.”
Young owns Peddler’s Junction on Main Street in Crane. She said when there are other thriving businesses in town, it makes current businesses continue to thrive as well.
“As a business owner in the City of Crane for the last 16 years, I have seen the ups and downs of the economy. Local small business owners like myself tend to thrive when there are other small businesses surrounding us. We provide a bigger draw to the community when there are several businesses to choose from that ultimately provide “day trip” opportunities for patrons, rather than just one or two stops,” Young explained.
However, Young points out that it’s not only the old garment factory property that presents an opportunity for the betterment of the community. While not everyone will be able to purchase a vacant factory and turn it into something great again, she encourages people to look for small ways they can get involved in making Crane the best it can be.
“If Crane were to create an organization that’s aim is to enhance our community in all ways, support local small businesses, and do our best to become a destination, we would see our community beginning to thrive once again. We have to open a line of communication between the city and the people, encourage involvement and support,” Young said
The old garment factory, as most people around Crane know it, is for sale.
Most recently, the building was used as a custom hot rod shop, but it is currently vacant. It has been vacant since the fall of 2021. The building, located at 504 Airport Road, and everything left inside will soon be sold at an auction.
Many still remember the building in its “hay-day,” when it was GB’s Garment Factory. Susie Cox worked there in the early to mid-1980s.
“[We did] belt loops, back pockets, one time we made skirts that were a soft chambray. They were three tiers. I hated doing those,” Cox remembered.
Charlotte Akins said she worked there in 1975 for a few months.
“It was my first job here when I moved from Illinois. I was 18 years old,” Akins remembered. “I worked in the back room on the zipper line. Hazel Murray was the lead person on the line. I just loved her. Such a nice lady.”
Cox said the job was close to home, which made it convenient for her and many other locals who found employment at the factory.
“At that time the job market wasn’t the best,” Cox said. “It provided jobs for women in the area, and also men. It was an important part of the community, helping to provide income to many homes in the area.”
While Cox can’t remember exactly what caused the factory to close in Crane, she believes it was due to the company outsourcing work outside the country. While the building has housed other businesses, including an embroidery business, since the factory’s closing, it has been vacant for nearly a year and is now in need of some repairs.
According to the auction company, “The building is a 30,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on 3.10 acres. [The] roof and office area needs repair.”
Cox said she hopes the building is purchased and used for the betterment of the Crane community.
“Whether it is something for entertainment, or a business, or even a factory, I just hope it doesn’t sit there and decay into ruin, and go the way of the casket factory,” Cox said.
Cox certainly isn’t alone in hoping for the best for the property. People have spoken out on social media with similar sentiments.
“I would love to see a community recreation facility open in the old garment factory! The surrounding communities need somewhere to gather for indoor fun and social gatherings,” Staci Young said. “Vacant buildings provide no revenue for the city/community. They also do not enhance the beauty of our small town, or encourage patrons to return.”
Young owns Peddler’s Junction on Main Street in Crane. She said when there are other thriving businesses in town, it makes current businesses continue to thrive as well.
“As a business owner in the City of Crane for the last 16 years, I have seen the ups and downs of the economy. Local small business owners like myself tend to thrive when there are other small businesses surrounding us. We provide a bigger draw to the community when there are several businesses to choose from that ultimately provide “day trip” opportunities for patrons, rather than just one or two stops,” Young explained.
However, Young points out that it’s not only the old garment factory property that presents an opportunity for the betterment of the community. While not everyone will be able to purchase a vacant factory and turn it into something great again, she encourages people to look for small ways they can get involved in making Crane the best it can be.
“If Crane were to create an organization that’s aim is to enhance our community in all ways, support local small businesses, and do our best to become a destination, we would see our community beginning to thrive once again. We have to open a line of communication between the city and the people, encourage involvement and support,” Young said