Hancock Fabrics, a Massachussetts-based hobby sewing retailer, is going out of business, selling its inventory and shuttering more than 180 stores across the country, including one in the Brainerd Village shopping center.
Hancock has been in business since 1957, and only two months ago operated more than 250 stores across the U.S. The retailer has operated a store in Chattanooga for more than three decades.
The company filed bankruptcy in 2007 and reorganized to stay open, but has struggled to post profits since.
Hancock filed bankruptcy again earlier this year, and closed 70 stores and sought a buyer for the remainder of its locations. A company liquidator called Great American Group bought Hancock Fabrics’ stores in bankruptcy court and announced earlier this year that it will be closing all remaining stores.
Liquidation sales have already begun.
At the Brainerd store, items are currently 20 to 50 percent off, said Silvia Tintka, store manager, on Monday.
She believes the Brainerd store is scheduled to slowly wind down some time in July. Sales will increase as the permanent closing date gets closer.
The Brainerd store employs 10 people, two full-time and the rest part-time, said Tintka.
Tintka said store employees have informed customers – many of them long-time repeats – about the pending closure.
“We’re bombarded by phone calls, and a lot of people are really sad and are coming to the store and what are we going to do?” said Tintka. “We just feel so sorry for them.”
Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.