With 2017 off to an interesting start, many people may be hoping for a great start to a brand new year. A year of “second chances”, resolutions, and a new, fresh take on what’s in store.
However, for many Toledoans, attitudes of shock, sadness, and anger filled the air as they discovered that one of the most popular local stores would be shutting down after 65 years of business.
The Andersons, a popular chain of retail stores from Toledo to Columbus, stated last Sunday that they would be shutting down their locations due to “finances slipping” and a loss of interest as bigger companies creep in. According to the current chairman, Dick Anderson, “the stores were problematic for a decade but the company was reluctant to close them even knowing it likely couldn’t compete with Lowe’s, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and others.” He went on stating that “those guys had us before we opened the door. All we were looking for at the end of the day was like 2% [profit margin], which just wasn’t there.”
The Anderson’s stores have attracted shoppers old and young for many years. Customers have enjoyed all the fresh produce, bakeries, pet products, and household items under one roof and at a fairly decent price. It’s very shocking to see that the stores have been “dying” little by little as the years have gone by.
It is also shocking that many other companies have decided to close some of their retail locations as well. In the past few weeks Macy’s said they would close 15% of their stores, Sears Holdings is closing 78 Kmart stores and 26 Sears stores by spring, The Limited has closed all 250 of its stores, CVS will close 70 this year, and JCPenney’s chief executive said it will announce store closings soon.
It is truly heartbreaking to see such great companies crumble and fall after so many years of thriving and profits. Many stores have been closing due to the fact that more people like to shop online instead of going out and physically buying products themselves.
Although The Limited announced the closing of their physical stores, they will still be available on their online website for purchases.
It’s devastating that family-owned and even big companies are being reduced to limited locations and domination over the online market.
Emma DeMascio, Staffer
