ELYRIA — Elyria’s Value City department store temporarily has been spared from the chopping block.

“The Elyria store will remain open for the time being,” said Kristen Mack, spokeswoman for VCHI Acquisition Co., the company that bought the Value City franchise in January.

When VCHI bought 81 percent of Value City in January, it told 37 Value City stores nationwide — and 11 in Ohio — that they would be closing within two months.

The store on Oberlin-Elyria Road was among those, and it was expected to shut its doors at the end of this month.

But since the announcement, the company is taking another look at whether to close 10 of the stores, including the one in Elyria, Mack said. The company is re-evaluating the markets based on demographics and sales data to determine which — if any — will stay open, Mack said.

There is no timetable for the store, according to Mack, but it will remain open — and its roughly 50 employees will retain their jobs — for as long as the re-evaluation process lasts.

The Elyria store has been having a liquidation sale to clear out its inventory since it received word that it would close.

That sale continues, but Mack said the store’s merchandise will be replenished now that it will be staying open.

The store has served as a mainstay for Elyria’s southside, and it was known for its bargains, oftentimes featuring name-brand products at drastically reduced prices.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Chris Baker, executive director of South Elyria Neighborhood Development, said when she originally heard the closing news. “The economy’s bad and things are getting tough everywhere.”

But the eulogy proved slightly premature.

For the time being, at least, Elyria will hold on to Value City.

“Its great news,” said Frank DeTillio, president of Lorain County Chamber of Commerce. “Anytime you can get a turn around like this, it’s great news.”

Contact Michael Baker at 329-7128 or mbaker@chroniclet.com

 

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