Best Will Close Stores In Spokane Reorganization Closes 81 Stores, Affects 4,500 Workers

Best Products Co.’s 18-year history in Spokane is about to end.

Best announced Monday that it would close its two Spokane stores as part of a massive reorganization. The Lewiston, Idaho, store also will close.

“We’re all kind of numb, including me,” said Jeff Cox, manager of the Best store at 15312 E. Sprague. “I did not expect it.”

Cox learned about the closings Sunday, then had to tell his 40 employees Monday they would be out of work in mid-December.

The two Spokane stores will remain open for two months, with going out of business sales beginning later this month.

A total of 81 stores, employing about 4,500 people either full- or part-time, will be closed in 19 states, with a significant number in Texas, Colorado, Oregon, California and Washington.

“We believe it’s in the best interests of the company to finalize closing plans now and remove questions about which locations will continue to operate,” said Daniel Levy, chairman and chief executive of Best. “We have carefully studied our business and we do not believe these locations will contribute significantly to the company’s future profitability.”

The two 70,000-square-foot Spokane stores - in the Valley and at 7630 N. Division - employ a total of 80 to 85 full- and part-time people, Cox said.

Best, based in Richmond, Va., filed last month for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which allows it to continue operating while it reorganizes.

All of Best’s extended warranties are insured by National Electronic Warranty and will be honored, Cox said.

“When Smith’s (Home Furnishings) closed, there were a lot of people left out on a limb,” he said. “That’s not the case here.”

Best has been in Spokane since 1978, when it opened its catalog showroom on North Division under the name Jafco. The Valley store opened under the same name in 1980. The company changed the store names to Best in 1987.

“They were pioneers in 1980,” Denise Harfield, senior account executive for R.W. Robideaux and Co., manager of the Valley property, said of Best. “There wasn’t much in the Valley. Look at the place now. It’s tough to compete.”

John Morrow, a commercial real estate broker, agreed. He said Best’s catalog showrooms became outdated, making it harder to compete.

“The old warehouse concept used to be a great deal, but the discounters just keep hitting away at them,” Morrow said.

This is the second time Best has filed for bankruptcy protection in five years. In January 1991, the company laid off 1,550 employees and closed 24 catalog showrooms and 15 jewelry stores while reorganizing under bankruptcy protection.

Spokane was spared that time, but a jewelry store in Seattle closed.

In August, Best announced it was taking a new direction. It began converting its catalog showrooms to self-service stores. The company also began phasing out such things as home electronics, toys and sporting goods to focus on home furnishings and jewelry.

The store closings will reduce Best’s chain to 88 stores in 17 states from 169 in 23 states.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Alison Boggs Staff writer The Associated Press contributed to this story.