Recent problems in the economy have caused many companies to file bankruptcy and adopt new plans for reaching company goals.
Steve & Barry’s is one company going bankrupt and is now closing several of its stores, including one in Opelika.
According to Steve & Barry’s Web site, the company released the information for a go-forward plan last week.
The plan is to operate with a smaller number of stores to reach the financial goals of the company. This includes the closing of 103 stores.
The first set of stores to be closed will have taken place by the 24th, while others await their specific closing date.
Walking into the store, customers saw a store that was almost empty just six days before closing. The already low prices had sunken down to just $5.98 and are set to go down even lower before the close date.
All of the store’s fixtures and furniture are being sold at a table set up in the front of the store.
Alecia Dowdell, a manager at the Steve and Barry’s in Opelika, said she first heard about the bankruptcy approximately three months ago, but was not sure the store would be closed until two months ago.
“One of the managers from the Columbus store that used to work here, he actually told us the news of our store closing,” Dowdell said. “It was sort of a shock.”
No one is exactly sure why the store was picked as one that would be closing, but some assume it was based on the amount of business each store produced, as well as the location of the store.
“I think they went on how much business each one gets, and ours wasn’t top-rank,” Dowdell said.
Gelisa Anders, an employee at the store, said she thinks the reason for the closing is the location, because the store didn’t receive many customers.
Anders is a student at Southern Union and said she will miss her job’s flexible schedule the most.
“It’s sad because this was my first job, and I really liked working here,” Anders said.
Employees walked around removing merchandise from the shelves and cleaning up the floors while customers snatched up what little clothing was left.
Dowdell said the company did not offer to relocate employees or give any other solutions for employees. Dowdell is currently trying to find employment.
Involuntary unemployment is a reality that no employee wants to face.
For the employees and customers at Steve & Barry’s, it’s a reality that came too soon.
Stephanie Strong, a rare customer at the store, said she wished the store was not closing. Strong has done Christmas shopping, as well as personal shopping at the store.
She expressed her sympathy for the many workers who will be out of a job next week.
“It makes me sad because it just shows me how the world economy is going right now, and it’s just a sign of what’s to come and what’s been happening in this country and around the world,” Strong said.
Stores in both Birmingham and Montgomery are also set to close. The Opelika location closed Wednesday, Sept. 24.
