Local stores holding a "Total Store Sale" with all sales final
Read more: Local
TOLEDO, OH -- Three area Value City Department stores face an uncertain future. All three held a so-called "total store sales" this weekend with all sales final. What is unclear is will the stores close or reopen under a different name?
Value City has been handing out flyers advertising savings of 30 to 70 percent on many items in the store. Inside, the stores are covered with posters announcing all sorts of savings. Are hese liquidation sales? The company isn't telling us.
The Value City Department stores in question are at Great Eastern Shopping Plaza on Woodville Road in Northwood, the Parkway Plaza on Detroit Avenue in Maumee, and at the intersection of Lewis Avenue and Alexis Road in West Toledo.
Last December, the Value City chain was bought by Retain Ventures, Inc. which owns Burlington Coat Factory, Filene's Basement and D-S-W Shoe stores.
"It's going to be difficult that they're leaving, said Kimberly Murphy, a Value City shopper. "I didn't know if it is true, but I am disappointed if it is."
"My mom told me something about it, and I saw the man holding the liquidation sign sale, so i said i'm going to go check it out," said Tequila Elston, a Value City shopper.
If Value City Department stores close, the area could lose three stores that cater to certain buyer.
On Value City shopper says if they do close, she will shop for discounted items at Goodwill.
Published reports say that the Value City Department store at Alexis and Lewis will become a Burlington Coat Factory, once it sells-out of its current stock.
There is no official word from Retail Ventures on whether the other two locations will stay open after their total store sales. Value city customers say they'll miss Value City.
City of Toledo Spokesman Brian Schwartz says no one from the management teams at Value City or Retail Ventures has contacted the city about the ultimate fate of these stores.
