Nampa Livestock Markets to close

Local landmark Nampa Livestock Market, Inc. will be auctioned off this month, ending a decades-long family-run business. Jack Doan and his brother Joe purchased the railroad district property at 2586 2nd St. S. in 1971 from John Hayes. The property, originally built by John Smeed in 1938, will be auctioned Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. by Western Auction Co. The market has remained in the Doan family for the past 40 years. Livestock sales thrived during the market’s heydays in the 1970s and 80s, and the Doan family earned respect among ranchers and dairymen who would come as far away as northern Nevada and eastern Oregon to do business. “They have a fabulous reputation for honesty, integrity,” Western Auction Co. auctioneer Kurt Weitz said. “These people have treated everybody the same all these years.” Jack Doan and his wife, Virginia, plan to retire after selling the market this month. The couple’s two sons Tom and Robert took over the business in 1997...more