After nearly 30 years of operating in Spokane, business and real estate brokerage company Cunningham Group Inc. closed Dec. 31. Owner and sole employee Donald Cunningham says he is retiring.

“I’m in my 70s, and I’ve been thinking about it for a few years,” Cunningham says. “I decided that now is the time, because I lack the motivation, and it wouldn’t be fair, in my view, to work with owners if I don’t have any motivation to work with them. The motivation and the drive, over the past 30 years, has waned.”

Cunningham started the company in 1992, after working for a real estate and business brokerage here for three years. The company was headquartered at 901 W. Shannon for about 20 years. For the past decade, Cunningham has been the sole employee and has run the brokerage from his home office.

Cunningham says he chose to close the brokerage rather than sell it for a few reasons. 

“One, it’s got my name on it,” Cunningham says. “I didn’t want my name to be associated with something if I’m not around.”

None of Cunningham’s family members were interested in running the company, he says, and he knew it would be difficult to sell Cunningham Group to someone outside of his family.

While Cunningham declines to disclose the names of local companies he’s sold, he claims Cunningham Group has sold the most power sports equipment dealerships in Spokane. According to the company’s website, Cunningham Group has sold a variety of businesses, including manufacturers, restaurants, and convenience stores.