1954 – The Beginning

Office Supplies & Equipment was founded in 1954 by Jo and Harold Finke in downtown Washington, Missouri. Located on Elm Street, the store became Franklin County’s first dedicated office supply store, providing typewriters, stationery, office equipment, and business supplies to local businesses and organizations.

From the beginning, the Finkes built the business around personal service and strong community relationships. As Washington and the surrounding area grew, Office Supplies & Equipment grew alongside it, becoming a trusted resource for offices, schools, and local organizations.

1960s – 1980s — Growing Roots

As businesses in Washington and the surrounding communities grew, so did the need for reliable office equipment. During these years, Harold Finke became well known throughout the area for repairing and servicing the machines that kept local offices running.

From typewriters and adding machines to early copiers and office equipment, Harold maintained a dedicated repair workshop filled with tools, parts, and machines waiting to be brought back to life. Many customers remember bringing equipment into the store or calling Harold when something stopped working, knowing he would find a way to fix it.

This hands-on service became a defining part of Office Supplies & Equipment. Customers trusted not only the products they purchased, but the people behind the counter who stood ready to help keep their offices running.

1987 — Passing the Torch

After more than three decades of serving the Washington community, founders Jo and Harold Finke sold Office Supplies & Equipment in September of 1987.

The business was purchased by Judy Wessel, who continued the store’s long tradition of local service. Wessel brought extensive experience in office administration and business operations, having previously worked for Hazel Inc., where she advanced to the role of assistant vice president and sales administration manager during her twenty-year career.

Wessel saw an opportunity to build upon the strong reputation that the Finkes had established while expanding the store’s selection of products and services for local businesses, schools, and organizations.

With the transition, Office Supplies & Equipment remained a locally owned business dedicated to dependable service, quality office products, and strong relationships with customers throughout the Washington community.

1992 – Returning to Elm Street

In 1992, Office Supplies & Equipment moved from its location at 224 W Main Street in Washington to 217 Elm Street, returning the business to the same historic downtown street where it had originally begun decades earlier.

Under the leadership of Judy Wessel, the move provided the opportunity to expand the store’s showroom and better serve the growing needs of local businesses and organizations. The new Elm Street location allowed customers to browse a wider selection of office supplies, equipment, and furniture while still receiving the knowledgeable service the store had long been known for.

The larger space also allowed Judy to establish the store as an outlet for Hazel products, drawing on her many years of experience with Hazel Inc. This addition expanded the variety of office furnishings and equipment available to local customers and further strengthened the store’s role as a comprehensive resource for offices throughout the region.

Throughout the early 1990s, Office Supplies & Equipment continued to build its reputation as a dependable partner for businesses and organizations across Washington and the surrounding communities, carrying forward the tradition of personal service established by founders Jo and Harold Finke.

1993 – New Leadership for a New Chapter

In 1993, following a period of serious illness, Judy Wessel made the decision to sell Office Supplies & Equipment. Longtime employees Sandra Jung and Wanda Bade stepped forward to purchase the business as partners, continuing the store’s tradition of local ownership and personal service.

Both Sandra and Wanda were already deeply familiar with the store’s operations and its loyal customer base. Their leadership helped ensure a smooth transition while preserving the values that had defined the business since its founding.

Later that year, Judy Wessel passed away on May 25, 1993. Though her time as owner was brief, her leadership helped guide the company through an important transition, including the move to the Elm Street location and the continued expansion of the store’s offerings.

Under the partnership of Sandra Jung and Wanda Bade, Office Supplies & Equipment entered a new chapter while continuing to serve businesses, schools, and organizations throughout Washington and the surrounding communities.

1998 – Ose “Ozzie”

For many years, one of the most memorable members of the Office Supplies & Equipment team wasn’t behind the counter, he had four paws.

Ozzie, the store’s beloved cat, became a familiar sight to customers visiting the downtown Washington store. Often found resting in the front window or greeting visitors inside the shop, Ozzie quickly earned a reputation as the store’s unofficial greeter.

Ozzie originally came to the store in April of 1998, after Sandra Jung visited the Franklin County Humane Society to find a kitten for her daughter. While there, a friendly tabby caught her attention. When Sandra returned to the shop and asked Wanda Bade if they could keep him as a store cat, the answer was yes, and Ozzie soon made Office Supplies & Equipment his home.

From the beginning, Ozzie had a personality all his own. Customers stopping by the store were often greeted by the friendly cat perched in the window or wandering the aisles. Regular visitors came to expect his presence, and many enjoyed stopping in just to say hello.

Though originally jokingly referred to as “OSE,” the acronym for Office Supplies & Equipment, the spelling was eventually changed to Ozzie, a name that better fit the store’s well-known mascot.

Over the years, Ozzie became part of the store’s identity and a favorite among customers and employees alike. When he passed away on February 1, 2012, after many years as the shop’s resident greeter, he left behind countless memories for the community he had quietly entertained.

Even today, many longtime customers still remember the friendly tabby who made a simple trip for office supplies feel a little more personal.

2011 – Nearly Six Decades of Service

In March 2011, Office Supplies & Equipment was featured in a local newspaper article recognizing the business’s long history of serving the Washington community.

In the article, owner Wanda Bade reflected on her many years with the store. Wanda first began working at Office Supplies & Equipment in 1974, learning the business directly from founders Harold and Jo Finke.

Over the years, Wanda gained experience working alongside several generations of leadership at the store. She credited the guidance of Harold and Jo Finke, Judy Wessel, and Sandra Jung as mentors who helped shape the values that continued to guide the business.

By 2001, Wanda had become the sole proprietor, continuing the tradition of locally owned service that had defined the store since its founding. Under her leadership, Office Supplies & Equipment expanded its product offerings beyond traditional office machines and supplies to include business forms, breakroom supplies, printing services, toner cartridges, and shipping services.

Even as the office supply industry evolved, the store maintained its focus on personalized service and strong relationships with the Washington community.

2021 – A New Generation of Local Ownership

In March 2021, Washington native Becky Huddleston purchased Office Supplies & Equipment, becoming the fourth owner of the downtown business since it first opened in 1954.

Becky was already familiar with the store long before becoming its owner. She had worked as the company’s bookkeeper for several years, learning the day-to-day operations and building relationships with customers across the community. When longtime owner Wanda Bade decided it was time to retire after nearly three decades of leadership, Becky stepped forward to purchase the business and keep it locally owned.

Outside the store, Becky built a career in education as a physical education teacher at St. Ignatius of Loyola School, where she spent more than a decade working with students and families in the Washington area. Her background in both education and accounting brought a unique perspective to the business, combining organization, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of the needs of local schools.

Since taking ownership, Becky has introduced new product lines, including expanded teaching supplies and classroom materials, while continuing to provide the office supplies, furniture, printing services, and equipment that businesses have relied on for generations. Her goal has been simple: keep the store rooted in the community while adapting to how people work and learn today.

With Becky at the helm, Office Supplies & Equipment remains a vital part of downtown Washington, serving local businesses, schools, and organizations from its longtime home at 217 Elm Street.