mom-and-pop: January 2009 Archives

The economic downturn is hitting local stores especially hard. Saddest among those affected are the decades-old establishments, many involved in housing and home goods, suddenly facing bankruptcy or liquidation.

Some recent changes of note:

• In central Pennsylvania, Good's Furniture and Flooring is closing all its furniture stores, with liquidation sales just underway. Good's dates to 1959 and is under second-generation management.
  
• Olender Mattress in Schenectady, N.Y., which traces its history to 1902, has to close one of its three locations. "This is nothing new for us," says the store's owner, noting the chainlet survived the Great Depression and other economic crises.
• Eighty-year-old Peerless Furniture in Michigan is closing its two stores. Peerless, which began as a mattress manufacturer in 1924, calls its decision "responsible."
• In Massachusetts, Lebow Men's and Boy's Clothing is closing after 81 years. The store, which prided itself on its personalized service, has been unprofitable for some time.
  

The Milwaukee area is losing its 82-year-old Harry W. Schwartz bookstores due to unavoidable market changes. The stores acknowledge changes in consumer habits, such as e-books and the Internet, as well as the current economic conditions plaguing other businesses. Interestingly, its management believes single-location specialty bookstores may thrive in the future, whereas the small-chain model of Harry W. Schwartz is not relevant in the current environment.

Family-owned jewelry chain Shane Co. filed for bankruptcy protection. Shane has 23 outlets across 14 states and has been in business since the early 1970s. Little specific information is available yet.