MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — TJ Hale, a Wisconsin-based architectural millwork firm, abruptly closed its shop effective Thursday, Feb. 5, reportedly leaving as many as 50 employees out of work.

According to local reports, employees at the Menomonee Falls company arrived to work on Friday, Feb. 6, to "locked doors and a closure notice." The company reportedly had sent out an email Thursday night informing workers that a "sudden loss of work and cash flow” forced TJ Hale to shut down immediately. 

Milwaukee news station, WTMJ, interviewed stunned workers, including cabinetmaker Tom Knight, who said he had no warning about the company's financial troubles. Another worker interviewed by WTMJ was Casey Ryback, who described his reaction as "Almost disbelief, it was like, 'Is this real? Is this really… how is this really happening to all of us?' And it was."

Woodworking Network reached out through LinkedIn to company chairman Jack Hale, as well as the company's human resources VP, and other management and former employees, and will update this story as more information becomes available.

TJ Hale began its business in 1950 as a small woodworking shop in Butler, Wisconsin, serving nearby businesses, including one up-and-coming grocer, called Kohl’s. According to TJ Hales's website, as Kohl’s evolved from grocery stores to department stores, TJ Hale was a key supplier in aiding their growth.

In 2025, TJ Hale ranked #158 in the FDMC 300 listing of top North American wood products manufacturers.