The struggling Ames Discount Store chain is throwing in the towel. A year after seeking bankruptcy protection, company officials announced this morning they are closing all 327 stores, including twelve stores in Vermont.
Ames’ chairman and CEO says it was a wrenching decision, but the right course for the company to take. If approved by the bankruptcy court, the chain expects to promptly designate a liquidator to conduct “going out of business” sales at all store locations. The company says stores are expected to remain open for about 10 weeks during the process.
The discount chain had gone through four rounds of store closings in the last several months. Vermont stores are in Barre, Bennington, Brattleboro, Derby, Essex Junction, Middlebury, Morrisville, Rutland, Saint Albans, Saint Johnsbury, South Burlington and Springfield.