By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A familiar Marion real estate agency has been sold to a different local agent so the former owner could retire.

Longtime agent Lori Heerey is semi-retired, working with her husband, Doug Heerey, in his Shelter Insurance agency.

A sign on the front of the former Heerey building now proclaims, “Jay Christensen Agency.”

“Jay Christensen bought it from me,” Heerey said.

The agency officially changed hands Jan. 1.

Christensen is a familiar face, not just as a real estate agent but also as a remodeling and construction contractor. He has worked alongside Heerey for more than eight years.

A Marion native, he spent 27 years working for the post office with roles as postal clerk in Peabody for six years, postmaster at Cedar Point for three years, and postmaster at Peabody for 18 years.

He retired from the post office and opened his construction business eight years ago.

During those eight years, he has worked mainly in construction and remodeling, but also in real estate.

Now it will be the other way, he said.

Not much will change about the way the real estate office operates, he said.

“I’m just going to continue a service that Lori started,” Christensen said. “We focus on being friendly and not pushy.”

Another agent, Heather Holloway, has been with the agency for several months.

The change of ownership was in the works for a few months, but everyone kept quiet about it, Heerey said.

“I’m thrilled and I strongly encourage people to use their new local agency,” Heerey said. “It’s a locally owned agency, and the people who work here live here.”

Doug Heerey’s Shelter Insurance agency will remain in the same building.