Paris, Tenn.–Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce CEO Travis McLeese confirmed that the switch from Peebles to Gordmans for the Paris store has fallen through.
McLeese said, “We learned this morning that the switch from Peebles to Gordmans locally fell through due to COVID-19. We had originally scheduled a ribbon cutting and grand opening for March 31st. The Stage Company was leasing the building, so we hope that they will be purchased by another company or a new lease with a different retail outlet can be established.”
McLeese added, “Local option sales tax is vital to our community infrastructure. This is proof that shopping local is going to be essential to digging out of this economic situation.”
As we reported Tuesday evening, Stage Stores has announced the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to a news release from the company which owns Goody’s, Peebles and Gordmans.
Gordmans was to replace the Peebles store in Paris, with the opening set for the spring of 2020. Peebles has been in the process of shutting the local store down for the last few months, with ongoing sales.
Company officials and representatives of the Paris Peebles store have been unavailable for comment.
Peebles in Paris reportedly will open Friday May 15 to liquidate inventory. Monday-Friday 11-7 pm Sunday 12-5 until the store closes.
In the press release, the company said the health and safety of its employees and customers remain their top priority as it takes a phased approach to reopen its stores in the coming weeks for liquidation sales and anticipates that the first phase of approximately 557 stores will open on May 15. The second phase of approximately 67 stores is expected to open on May 28, the company said.
President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Glazer said. “However, the increasingly challenging market environment was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which required us to temporarily close all of our stores and furlough the vast majority of our associates. Given these conditions, we have been unable to obtain necessary financing and have no choice but to take these actions.”
Glazer added, “We recognize that the actions we have taken in response to the market environment and COVID-19 have affected them both professionally and personally. We deeply appreciate their efforts going forward as we begin the process of reopening stores to conduct liquidation sales… The health and safety of our associates and guests is of the utmost importance to us. We will continue to follow health authorities’ recommendations and industry best practices as we reopen to ensure our associates and guests feel comfortable shopping in our stores.”