The Hub, King's to close doors

As most of the community prepares for the upcoming holidays, some local downtown retail merchants are getting ready for something not so pleasant. They are getting ready to close their doors.

Shoppers will find themselves with fewer choices soon after the first of the year as Hub Clothiers, King's Variety Department Store, Flowers Galore and Deb's Shoes close the doors.

After 48 years, Hub Clothiers, one of Mountain Home's oldest and largest family-owned businesses, has announced that it will be closing its doors.

It is just one of many stores that have closed in the community since two large chain stores have built along the freeway.

"Kmart came first and we had to tighten our belts and change our buying patterns, but when this small community added Wal-Mart two years ago, it just became a losing battle," said Suzanne Roberts, who has taken time out from her work in Boise to help the Sherer family close the store.

Roberts noted "the community itself seems in shock at the Hub's announcement. Since word of the closing has gotten out, a great many people have just stopped in to talk and share memories -- some even with tears in their eyes.

"The Hub has been a cornerstone in the community for nearly five decades and many of the customers tell about their early memories of the store and how their parents brought them there to shop as small children."

Frank and Dolly Sherer purchased the men's clothing and shoe store in 1953 when they moved here from the Great Falls, Mont., area.

At that time the store was located on Main Street right next door to the old Post Office. In 1963 they built an 8,000 sq. ft. building on N. 2nd East Street, increasing the men's clothing lines and adding a women's department on the second floor. They also built up a large boot and shoe department with a heavy inventory of western wear and western hats.

The store will be closing out all of its merchandise and fixtures over the next months with the final closing date not yet determined.

"The price cuts are going to be quick and deep," said Roberts, explaining, "We've got a huge amount of inventory to move before Christmas. We're even counting on our Boise customers to help us out.

"We're not the typical small-town store. We've always surprised people with our high fashion and huge variety since we have had to appeal to an unusual global clientele with the Air Force Base here in our community."

Roberts pointed out, "This business was my parents' dream and closing the doors has not been an easy choice for our family to make. We made the decision quickly less than a week ago. Since it wasn't planned, we are absolutely loaded with wonderful merchandise, which will make for a terrific sale just in time for Christmas.

"It will be a family reunion with my brother, Roger, here from Montana, and my sister, Sallie, flying in from Florida to help with the sale.

"Three generations have worked here and this business is a part of us. Most of all, I feel sad about our loyal customers. They have become a part of our lives and we will miss them," she said.

"This is not just about a business closing its doors; this is about what's happening in our society -- about turning a page in our history books. Letting go of this store is like saying, 'Okay, you win' to the Wal-Marts and the big boy retailers of the world. I feel like we represent every small business in America who is struggling to exist amongst the big conglomerates -- not only in the clothing industry, but in farming and ranching, in food service and in every aspect of small business.

"I believe in the value of small business. I have seen the benefit to my three sons. They have a more in-depth understanding of how a total business operates. Now it's just a matter of channeling that knowledge and experience in a new direction."

As the signs were going up in the windows of Hub Clothiers announcing the closure, customers of King's Variety Department Store with merchandise on layaway were receiving letters notifying them that all items must be picked up by Christmas eve.

The King's Store also will be closing its doors in Mountain Home, after nearly 27 years in its location at the corner of N. 2nd East Street and American Legion Boulevard.

While store manager Jim Martin was reluctant to speak on behalf of the company, he cited many of the same reasons as possibilities for the decision.

He noted that typically the company will close stores in areas that have the big stores competing, while it continues to open new stores in smaller communities.

Martin explained that customers were being notified to pick up their layaways well in advance of any possible closing date. He noted the storeroom was full of merchandise on layaway, making it difficult to determine the store's inventory.

The letters went out at the same time patrons were receiving information of the store's special Christmas sales. Martin said there will be at least one more sales circular going out before the holidays.

Full-time employees who have been with the store for some time may be offered an opportunity for employment at other locations. But unfortunately, Martin said, most of the local store's associates are part-time workers, so will not qualify. They will be looking for new jobs.

He was quick to point out that no date has been set for the Mountain Home store's closing. It may be three months from now, he said, explaining there was still much work to do before the doors were closed for the final time.