ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610310051
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MEGAN SCHNABEL STAFF WRITER
BEST PRODUCTS CO. will close the chain's Hershberger Road showroom in Roanoke by February.
When Brendle's closed its Roanoke showroom in July, customers said they were glad they could still go to the Best store across town for housewares, electronics and toys.
The announcement Tuesday night that the investment groups buying Best Products Co. Inc. will close the chain's remaining 88 catalog showrooms - including the one on Hershberger Road in Roanoke - leaves those customers searching for a new place to shop.
"It's going to be the end of an era, there's no doubt about that," said Linda Williams, who has worked in the Best jewelry department for eight years.
Best, which opened its first store in 1957, is credited with pioneering the catalog showroom concept, which was adopted by competitors including Service Merchandise and Brendle's. Best's trademark catalog disappeared some months ago, a cost-cutting measure after the company lost $95.7 million in 1995.
But even as the company struggled to survive, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization twice in five years, the Roanoke store attracted a loyal group of shoppers who preferred its slower, friendlier pace and predictable prices to crowded discount stores and malls.
Best officials initially thought the four investor groups buying the company would continue to operate half the ailing chain's 169 showrooms. That changed Tuesday, when Best Chairman and CEO Daniel Levy said it would be better for the company and its creditors to close now.
"I think we were holding onto the hope that maybe they would decide to keep the remaining stores open," Williams said. "It was rather devastating."
She said a number of longtime customers called her Wednesday morning, offering condolences and best wishes. For the sake of people like that, she said, the Roanoke employees are going to stick with the store to the end.
"We're going to conduct the classiest going-out-of-business sale Roanoke has ever seen," she said.
Store manager Judy King, who celebrated her 20th anniversary with the company last month, said she expects nothing less than a strong finish from her 55 employees. Many of the 20 full-time associates have been with Best for 15 to 20 years, she said.
"We're kind of like a family," King said.
Best will leave behind a five-acre site and a building whose tax value is $1.2 million, said Roger Elkin, a sales associate at Roanoke real estate firm Hall Associates Inc. He foresees few problems selling the site, which is close to several hotels, the airport and the interstate.
"Free-standing buildings like Best has are really hard to find," he said. The building has the potential to house a major regional retailer, he said.
As of Wednesday morning, King hadn't been told when the liquidation sale will begin or how long the store will remain open. According to Best headquarters, going-out-of-business sales should be completed by February if the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond approves the $410 million deal.
"I hate it for the employees, but I hate to see the store go, too," said Evelyn Fortner, who was shopping for a desk chair. She has patronized Best stores for 32 years. She'll come back for the liquidation sale, she said, but then she'll have to move on to another store.
"Well, you know, there's lots of stores, but they just take second place," Fortner said, and shook her head. "They just take second place."
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB