Antique Presses Go On Auction Block

McRoy & McNair Inc., the historic Fayetteville office products store, is closing, and co-owner Leon Fowler said there are many antique machines still in the basement. An auction will be held on June 26 to sell the surplus equipment, including iron typesetters, cutters and stitchers that date back 100 years, Fowler said.

He has donated some of the equipment to religious organizations, but much of it is still in storage.

“We tried to donate some of [the antique presses], but apparently nobody wants them,” Fowler said. “They’ll probably go to scrap metal, but I won’t be around to see that.”

McRoy & McNair has operated in downtown Fayetteville for 113 years. It was established in 1892 as a printing company. In the early 1970s, Fowler and Don Loftis bought the company from the McRoy and McNair families. After four decades, Fowler said it was time to turn it over and head to the house.

“We’re going out because we want to, not because we were forced to,” Fowler said.

Fowler said his children live outside Arkansas and have no interest in taking over the company. Fowler and Loftis sold the company to Alexander, Merry-Ship and Alt Real Estate. The store will remain open until June 30.