WESTFIELD-As The Bon-Ton doors opened at 9 a.m. on Friday, area residents trickled in including Bob Piette of Westfield with gift cards in his pockets to cash in.
“It’s going to be a ghost town now,” said Piette, adding, “I’ve always shopped here.”
While the early shoppers declined to give their names, their sentiments were similar.
“I will miss Bon-Ton,” said one woman, noting the store has been an outlet for her for years instead of trekking to the mall.
The store closing sales officially began on Friday at 9 a.m. at The Bon-Ton on East Main Street, Westfield.
Another shopper said she has shopped at The Bon-Ton since the store opened in the city.
“Bon-Ton closing is a loss around here,” she said.
The main Westfield store on East Main Street opened in 1998, and is one of 212 Bon-Ton stores now being liquidated. In the same plaza, a second Bon-Ton store features men’s items, home goods and accessories.
In February, The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On April 17, The Bon-Ton announced it would liquidate its stores after the Great American Group, LLC and Tiger Capital Group, LLC bid $775.5 million for the retailer.
“Shoppers can expect to find significant, storewide savings on Bon-Ton’s broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings,” according to a press statement by the Great American Group.
The Great American Group is a provider of asset disposition and auction solutions, and advisory and valuation services, and is a subsidiary of B. Riley Financial, Inc. The Tiger Capital Group, LLC is a provider of asset valuation, advisory and disposition services.
“Over the next several weeks, we will work to quickly sell through all of Bon-Ton’s merchandise,” said Michael McGrail, COO of Tiger Capital Group, in a statement. “A sale of this magnitude is a very rare event, so shoppers are encouraged to come in early while the widest selection is still available. We expect merchandise to sell very quickly.”
As customers enter the store they will be greeted by huge signs that read “Everything Must Go,” “Going Out Of Business,” and “All Sales Final.”
After 160 years of service, The Bon-Ton will continue to accept Bon-Ton gift cards and consumers are urged to cash them in as soon as possible before the doors are closed for the final time.
“I just learned that Bon-Ton is closing on Facebook,” said one woman about 9:10 a.m. on Friday. “Everyone I talk to is sad about the closing.”
When reached for comment, Joe Mitchell, City Advancement Officer, said, “Brick and mortar retail is getting more and more challenging in today’s marketplace. While it is the property owner’s decision on what tenants to bring in, the City Advancement office along with the Mayor will advise as best we can.”
Mitchell added that, “As recently as a week or so ago a restaurateur approached me inquiring about the former Friendly’s space in that same plaza and I put them in touch with the property owner.”
