Dateline: November 18, 2004

Duckwall's closes Clarendon store

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Duckwall’s Variety Store closed here Monday after losing the lease on the building it had occupied for seven years.

“It is unfortunate that we have lost our lease; however, we are continuing to look at other options in Clarendon,” said District Manager Karen Walker.

“We appreciate the support the community has shown and look forward to returning to Clarendon sometime in the future.”

The closure of the Clarendon store has been common knowledge for several weeks, but parent company Duckwall-ALCO of Abilene, Kansas, only made the official announcement this week.

Although the salesfloor was closed as of November 16, Duckwall’s officials say customers can pick up their layaways and film developing pictures during normal business hours through this Friday, November 19.

Walker said store personnel will be offered positions at other Duckwall’s or ALCO locations. Associates will be working in the Clarendon store for the next several weeks, packing merchandise and removing fixtures.

Mike Bowman, Vice President of the Duckwall Division, also expressed his gratitude to the many friends the store has served in Clarendon, and he wished the very best to the loyal employees who have served the company so well during this period of time.

Duckwall’s operates a total of 79 stores in 10 states and has been in Clarendon since 1997. Customers are invited to shop the Duckwall’s location in Floydada or ALCO stores in Tulia and Canadian.

Lowe’s supermarket, which earlier this year purchased the the building previously occupied by Duckwall’s, has not publicly announced what it intends to do with the space. A Lowe’s official said an announcement would be made after the first of the year.