Office business takes major hit

The moribund office furniture business in the Sarasota-Bradenton market could be on its last legs.

At least four local companies have shut down over the last year, including Sarasota-based American Office Systems, which closed earlier this month. No surprise that the culprit in most cases is the recession.

“The banks aren't lending money to small businesses,” says Sandy Morgan, who worked in sales and marketing at American Office Systems. “And if small businesses aren't expanding, than our business goes away.”