Staff Writer

Employees of the Kitchen’s store in Troy were told Monday night the local store will be closing at the end of the month.

"We have enjoyed our tenure in Troy and have made many friends and fond memories," said Bud Kitchin.

He said he regrets having to close the local, but "the consumer’s interest cycle in clothing seems to be at a low point at this time.

The decision to close the Troy store was based on the several key economic factors ­ future sales growth potential for the area, fixed expense structure and market share potential, Kitchin said.

The store had seen recent improvement under the leadership of the current manager, Patsy Haws, but the management’s board still thought it was time to leave this market. Kitchin’s originally opened the Troy store in 1976 with Betsy Williford as the first store manager.

As a matter of fact, Williford moved to Troy with the store after beginning a long career with Kitchin’s in 1970.

She may have retired nine years ago, but is still affected by the news.

"It’s very sad," Williford said of the store’s pending closure. "Kitchin’s has been a part of the community for a lot of years and I very much hate to see it happen."

She said Kitchin’s was "a good place to work" and everyone there had a lot of fun, even surviving a store fire at the old location in the shopping center behind Brittany’s restaurant and adding other merchandise.

Carolyn Barron spent 15 years working, including three years as manager, at the Kitchin’s store in Troy.

"We had some good times," Barron said. "It was fun working there. It’s a sad note that it is closing."

She said driving by the store location on Tuesday and seeing the sign declaring the upcoming going-out-of-business sale was "heartbreaking."

After several expansions in the former location, Kitchin’s moved to the current location on U.S. 231 in 1986.

"A sincere ‘thank you’ to all our wonderful and loyal customers, I hope we can serve you in the future," Kitchin said.

Kitchin’s is home-based in Anniston and operates stores in Anniston, Sylacauga and Starkville, Miss.

The store will be closed today in order to prepare for the sale and will re-open Thursday at 10 a.m.

Kitchin said he expects the closing sale to last only a few weeks since the liquidation prices will likely bring customers in early.

During this time, store hours will be 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.