Newberry Closing University City Store

FOR THE RECORD: Saturday, November 11, 1995 CLARIFICATION: The J.J. Newberry store at University City Shopping Center is closind due to a decision made by the store’s parent company, Pennsylvania-based McCrory Stores. The decision was not made locally, and the U-City store manager said the company has not announced a reason for the closure.

The J.J. Newberry store at University City Shopping Center will close after its lease expires on January 31.

The store’s manager, who didn’t want his name used, said Thursday the store is closing due to financial reasons.

All the store’s merchandise is selling for 20 percent off, and will be incrementally marked down every three weeks until the closing day. There will be no exchanges.

The store’s 10 employees were offered positions at the Shadle Newberry’s store, but many have already made other plans, the manager said.

The decision came as no big surprise to employees or other mall merchants. For weeks, employees had been telling customers it was likely to close.

J.J. Newberry is owned by Pennsylvania-based McCrory Stores. The company has been plagued with financial woes, filing for bankruptcy protection in 1992. Spokane’s downtown Newberry’s store closed in 1994 as part of the Chapter 11 restructuring plan.

, DataTimes