Local Business Notes: Barney’s to close become Ashley Outlet

Barney's Furniture has been a Springfield staple for more than eight decades.

But, owner Barry Seidman said the independent, family-owned furniture store bearing his grandfather's name will soon be no more.

Seidman, whose family also owns Ashley Furniture HomeStores in Springfield, Jacksonville and Quincy, announced that the family name will come down and the location, 1987 Wabash Ave., will transition into an Ashley Outlet Store later this year.

Seidman attributed the transition to the growing challenge of operating an independently-owned furniture store in an industry increasingly dominated by large chains. He said the decision had been made before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The store was opened by Seidman's grandparents, Bernard and Yetta Seidman, in 1939 at the corner of Seventh and Washington streets in downtown Springfield.

It moved to 2410 South Grand Ave. E. in 1974, where it remained for more than 40 years. In 2016, it moved to its current west side location.

The family has owned and operated their Ashley's stores for about 15 years.

Though Seidman said it was a difficult decision to give up the name that's been in his family for more than 80 years, he said it was important to "not do what feels good, but what feels right."

"I think the comment I've made to my family is that in the business world today, you have to take emotion out of it, that business is very, very competitive," Seidman said. "And you have to do what you think is right."

The Ashley Outlet Store concept will be different from the HomeStore, namely in that there will be a larger selection of ready-to-assemble furniture and a lower introductory price point.

"An Ashley Outlet Store is, generally speaking, for a little bit younger demographic, people who maybe are interested in a piece as opposed to an entire room or entire house full," Seidman said. "It's kind of like an IKEA to a certain extent in the demographic that it's going to reach and the way it's going to look."

Seidman said he is hoping to have the new concept open by mid-October to early-November.

He said a liquidation sale would begin this weekend at Barney's.

***

AMC Theatres, the Kanas-based company that owns all three of Springfield's movie theatres, admitted in SEC filings last week that "substantial doubt exists" that it will remain in business given the significant and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company estimates that it lost between $2.1 and $2.4 billion in the first quarter, which ended March 31. With theatres having been shuttered since, the second quarter is expected to be even worse.

"We are generating effectively no revenue," the company wrote in the filing.

The company said the movie theater industry cannot be expected to recover as quickly when the pandemic subsides due to factors such as the lack of available films, decreased attendance, increased operating costs and inability to negotiate rent with landlords.

AMC has operated the capital city's three theaters since 2010. The company, then the second-largest movie theatre chain, purchased nearly 100 movie theatres from sixth-largest chain Keresotes Theaters, which was founded in Springfield in 1909.

***

Springfield's JCPenney has been spared from closure — for now.

The Texas-based department store chain this past week released a list of the first 154 locations that will close this summer, and the Springfield store was not included. But, with about 90 additional locations expected to shuttered as the retailer works through bankruptcy, it could be a short-lived reprieve.

So far, Illinois JCPenney stores that will close are in Bourbonnais, Calumet City, Carbondale, Freeport and Mt. Vernon.

The Springfield location, 1201 S. Dirksen Pkwy., has been an anchor for east-side shopping for nearly 50 years.

***

Downtown Springfield, Inc. has partnered with eight businesses to create gift boxes for graduations, Father's Day and other summer celebrations.

The group says the packages offer unique items that can only be found in downtown Springfield and give an opportunity to support local businesses that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gift boxes, which range from $25 to $50, can be purchased on DSI's website and picked up in-store.

***

Grab-a-Java, the joe-to-go coffee shop known for their iconic banners that offer commentary on the hot political and cultural issues of the day, succinctly summed up this past week in America with a banner featuring these seven sentences:

"I can't kneel."

"I can't barbecue."

"I can't watch birds."

"I can't wear a hoodie."

"I can't jog."

"I can't sleep in my bed."

"I can't breath…"

***

Filed at Springfield Building and Zoning, May 18 - 31:

WALMART, 2760 N. Dirksen Pkwy.; replacing rooftop air handler unitsKED PLASMA CENTER, 534 North Grand Ave. W.; commercial permitCVS PHARMACY, 2239 E. Cook St.; sign permitCVS PHARMACY, 2801 S. Chatham Road; sign permitDISTRICT 23 BOUTIQUE, 830 South Grand Ave. W; sign permit

Brenden Moore covers business issues for The State Journal-Register. He can be reached at 788-1528, bmoore@sj-r.com, twitter.com/brendenmoore13.

China: Power and Prosperity -- Watch the full documentary