From the Tri-Cities Herald: BUSINESS:
Joe' s stores going out of businessBy The Associated Press and Herald staff
Store managers for Joe’s Sports, Outdoor & More say their stores will be turned over to liquidators as soon as this week.
The 30-store chain employs about 1,500 people in the Pacific Northwest, owes creditors nearly $13 million and has filed for protection under federal bankruptcy laws.
Corporate officials did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday.
"At some point Thursday we no longer will be Joe’s," said Scott Brewer, sales manager at the Kennewick store. The Wilsonville, Ore.-based company will be sold to a liquidator, he said. That means about 40 people will be out of job in the Tri-Cities, he said.
In Medford, store manager Mike Murphy told the Mail Tribune newspaper the chain is discontinuing all services and that people with gift cards should use them by Thursday. He said that beyond that there are no guarantees.
In Albany, store manager Michael Potter told the Democrat-Herald that liquidation would begin when an official announcement is made, possibly by Friday.
Sad day for the NW