This winter, Schweser's in Creston will permanently close its doors due to declining sales over the past few years that led to an unsustainable business.
“This is a wonderful place, everything’s affordable and there’s so much to choose from,” said Kathy Eblen, Creston Schweser’s manager. “It’s going to put a damper on shopping for the town.”
The everything-must-go discounts of up to 90 percent off ticket prices have already begun, and the store will be open through the holiday season. Merchandise shipments are still coming in, so there will be plenty of shopping to do until the closing date.
“It is with much sadness that we have to make this announcement,” Company President Tyler Smith said in a press release. “However, the business has to be profitable to survive. The sales trends, expense trends and retail shopping and demographic trends (in Creston) have been against us for a few years, and in spite of our changes and attempts to find the right path to profitability, we have reached the end.”
Eblen has been at Schweser’s for nearly six years and has been the manager for two years.
“We will be forever grateful to the employees in Creston who have worked with us over the years, our loyal customers and the entire community for supporting us ... and we hope to honor the legacy of Schweser’s in Creston with one final holiday season,” Smith said.
Eblen said the store will likely close in January, but an official close date will be announced later on.
“The company is closing, not just this store,” Eblen said. “We’ll all have to find new jobs. We’re very sad.”
Smith said he is not yet able to disclose how many of the 20 Schweser’s locations are closing, but information will be released soon. The 20 stores are located in five Midwestern states, most of which are in smaller communities like Creston.