stores are reportedly sold -- anyone know details?

[maleficent1959]

On Wednesday the CMS at my former store were assembled for a meeting with the District Manager. During the meeting the DM told them that the stores have been sold but would/could not give them any details, including who the buyer was, because of a clause in the negotiations that required that the buyer not be named at this time. They were also told that their store is closing in February because the company is not renewing any leases that are up or being negotiated.

That is all they were told. Does anyone here know anything more?

 

[Chuck S]

Interesting. I wonder why, if the stores are sold, that the NEW operator wouldn't want the leases renewed? It doesn't make a lot of sense to buy a chain of stores and then let them close outlets before they have a chance to make a go of it (assuming they will be re-merchandised with some decent items).

 

[treesinger]

If the stores were bought by Going Out Of Business specialists, then I could see why.
Otherwise, it makes no sense to withhold what would supposedly be the good news that the stores were going to hang around.

 

[mobmilli]

The whole idea was to get the DS down to 200 stores for the sale. For some reason we look more profitable for a buyer. I'm not exactly sure why but's that's what's been told to us for months. Got to get down to 200 to look good for the sale.

 

[treesinger]

Originally posted by mobmilli
The whole idea was to get the DS down to 200 stores for the sale. For some reason we look more profitable for a buyer. I'm not exactly sure why but's that's what's been told to us for months. Got to get down to 200 to look good for the sale.

That makes sense. They want to make sure they are only buying the more profitable stores. It could be that the stores up for their leases were largely in the "unprofitable" category. While this would be stretching coincidence, it could be so.

It could also be that they already know which stores are the ones to keep and that none of them were on the block for leases. Therefore, it didn't matter how good the other stores were doing. They would be pre-determined for closing.

Listen to me, like I'M the business expert...

 

[Tagrel]

Actually, our local store was/is always busy, and the manager there told me they do quite well. But the lease is up in February and they are closing as well...

 

[Lori in CNY]

Tagrel,
I'm curious to know what store this is that you're speaking of. There have been several closed in NYS this year including the Long Island/NYC area but we had tons of stores overlap here in upstate too. Heck, there were 4 in one area all 15 minutes from each other. How can a visit to TDS be SPECIAL when you can visit one at any of your local malls?? That was just poor upper management decisions based on greed if you asked me. JMHO

 

[treesinger]

Originally posted by Tagrel
Actually, our local store was/is always busy, and the manager there told me they do quite well. But the lease is up in February and they are closing as well...

Doing well doesn't always equal profits.
The company I work for has a store on the busiest corner in our STATE. We do good numbers, but the lease is so expensive that the profit is much too low.

 

[DISFANS3]

The Disney store in Springfield, Missouri closed last Sunday..Sad to see it go......

 

[Planogirl]

DISFANS3, was there any notice that it was about to close? Or was it just suddenly closed? I'm hearing more and more that stores are just suddenly gone.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

There was notice that the Springfield store was closing. At least a month, I believe. I was there last weekend and was surprised that they had in the new spring t-shirts, which were only running at the current sale price, and it seemed that most of the plush and toys were not marked down. I was down there visiting my sister over MLK weekend and got a couple of items cheap, but the 75% off stuff was pretty well picked over. I figure the stuff that wasn't marked down was going to TDS in St. Louis or the outlet mall in Branson. When the store closest to us closed last June, there was a least a months notice as well.

 

[cindyfan]

Just curious if anyone has any more news???

 

[lenshanem]

I'm assuming since our DS was closed most of the summer for remodeling and reopened it is staying open? I visited another local DS today and was surprised it hadn't been remodeled, too. I guess that will be one that will close then. The window charcaters were not workinga and it really dimayed my 5 year old! LOL As usual, nothing in there I woudl want to buy, except maybe a vintage looking T for hubby.

 

[Mooobooks]

The Disney Store at the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington Virginia closed recently. Nothing but white boards covering the entrance now.
Does anyone know if the Disney Story at Tyson's Corner in Virginia has reopened after its remodeling?

 

[treesinger]

My only beef with DS, and WDW merchandise in general, is that I need 3XLT for my clothes. There are plenty of things I would have bought for myself had I been able to find something that fit.

That said, my wife still gets the occassional item and my kids are spoiled to death from that place. We have two within 30 minutes of us and neither have shown signs of closing.

 

[bellefan2]

I used to work at the Disney Store in Albany, NY - the first one, the one that closed last year after they put another one in the same town, next mall. Believe it or not, back then (10 years ago) we were told that Disney's "rule" was never to put a store within 10 miles of an existing one, but I guess that went out the window! It really doesn't take rocket science to figure out what went wrong here - just ask the Cast Members and the guests! Its too bad, but now I have an Annual Pass and hit Orlando for my Disney shopping habit...

 

[Baileymouse]

I was up in Paramus last weekend and the Disney Store there was closed.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Paramus Garden State Plaza did close Dec 26th, but Paramus Park is still open, and nearby Willowbrook also open...... NJ is still loaded with Disneystores.

 

[Madi100]

The store in Des Moines closes at the end of January. They just continued to have the same current sales as the rest of the Disney Stores. The CM was very rude, but I guess she was losing her job, and I can't expect her to be thrilled. My dad asked her if they were selling the fixtures on the walls (the characters). She very rudely told him no. What do they do with those?

 

[Luv2Roam]

When one of the Omaha, NE store closed a few years ago, as soon as the last guest was out, contractors came in and destroyed the displays. (I was told this by a long time CM there.)
Someone had taken part of a display. And what the hey. It's better that someone has it who appreciates it and t means something to, rather than torn apart and thrown in the trash.
I think some items make it to Ebay.