LaserMonks sells Internet business, folds abbey

SPARTA, Wis. — Monks who operated a multimillion dollar Internet business in rural Wisconsin have sold their company and belongings and have disbanded their small monastic community near Sparta.

Just two years ago, the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank had projected sales of $3.5 million for LaserMonks Inc. But today, the monks’ 15,000-square-foot home and 500 acres ares for sale. The LaserMonks name and customer list have been sold to a California firm. Religious artifacts, furniture and farm equipment was sold at auction last month. And the few monks that remained at the abbey have gone their separate ways.

The abbey’s attorney, Kevin Roop, tells the Journal Sentinel the economic downturn and increased competition caused the monks to liquidate the business, which sold laser printer inks and toners.