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Menomonee Falls manufacturer TJ Hale abruptly closes, leaving dozens jobless
The 76-year-old commercial interiors company cited a 'sudden loss of work and cash flow' as the reason for the immediate shutdown.
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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Workers at TJ Hale Company in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin arrived on Friday morning to find the doors locked and a closure notice, discovering their employer had ceased operations effective February 5, 2026. The sudden shutdown left dozens of employees without jobs at the company that designs, builds and installs high-quality commercial interiors. Employees received an email late Thursday night informing them of the closure, which stated that 'a sudden loss of work and cash flow forced TJ Hale to shut down immediately'.
Why it matters
The abrupt closure of TJ Hale, a long-standing manufacturer in the Menomonee Falls area, has left dozens of workers without jobs and raises questions about the financial health of the commercial interiors industry, which has faced challenges in recent years due to shifting consumer and business trends.
The details
According to former employees Casey Ryback and Tom Knight, around 40-50 people worked at TJ Hale's main facility. The company, which had been in business for 76 years, was a key supplier for major companies like Kohl's. The closure has halted all ongoing projects and left workers feeling betrayed by the lack of communication from management, who did not provide any warning about the company's financial troubles.
- TJ Hale ceased operations effective February 5, 2026.
- Employees received an email late on Thursday, February 5, 2026 informing them of the closure.
The players
TJ Hale Company
A 76-year-old manufacturer that designs, builds and installs high-quality commercial interiors for retail, corporate and specialty spaces.
Casey Ryback
A former employee of TJ Hale who expressed disbelief and disappointment over the company's abrupt closure.
Tom Knight
A cabinet maker who worked at TJ Hale for over a decade and had no warning about the company's financial troubles.
Gemini Investors
An investment firm that lists TJ Hale as part of its portfolio, but did not respond to requests for comment.
What they’re saying
“Almost disbelief, it was like, 'Is this real? Is this really… how is this really happening to all of us?' And it was.”
— Casey Ryback, Former TJ Hale employee (TMJ4)
“Nothing… oh, nothing like that at all.”
— Tom Knight, Former cabinet maker at TJ Hale (TMJ4)
“You think they would have come up to us a month ago or six weeks ago and said, 'Hey guys, things are getting tough. We need to do something.' But there was nothing. We didn't know anything.”
— Tom Knight, Former cabinet maker at TJ Hale (TMJ4)
The takeaway
The abrupt closure of TJ Hale, a long-standing manufacturer in Menomonee Falls, has left dozens of workers without jobs and raises concerns about the financial health of the commercial interiors industry, which has faced challenges in recent years. The lack of communication from management has left former employees feeling betrayed and uncertain about their future employment prospects.
