August 5, 2003

Office supply chain Trick & Murray sold

SEATTLE -- Longtime Seattle office-supply retailer Trick & Murray was acquired on Friday by Complete Office Solutions, a newly formed company that includes Trick & Murray's former co-owners, Julie Harrison and Brenda Hansen, on its staff.

Harrison and Hansen owned the company for 11 years. Trick & Murray first opened in 1905.

The new president, Rick Israel, had ties to Trick & Murray and past experience at Colorado office-supply giant Corporate Express.

Complete Office Solutions closed a Trick & Murray store at 805 First Ave. on Friday, but left open two remaining stores at 300 Westlake N. and the Bank of America Tower.

At the Bank of America Tower store, a small placard in the doorway that reads "Welcome to Complete Office Solutions" offers the only evidence of the change. The Trick & Murray Web site bears the new company's logo and a message that says "we are still a locally owned company, and will provide you with unparalleled service as we grow."

One part-time employee at the First Avenue store was laid off amid the changeover.