Rich's (discount store) explained

Rich's Department Stores
Fate:Bankruptcy
Type:Discount Department Store
Foundation:1962
Defunct:1997
Location:Salem, Massachusetts
Industry:Retail
Products:Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, electronics and housewares.
Homepage:None

Rich's was a family-owned business that was established in 1962, grew out of Jerry's Army Navy Surplus in Salem, Massachusetts, USA. The Rich family once operated 29 stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, which offered discounted merchandise.

History

Jerry Rich, a Russian immigrant living in Salem, Massachusetts, established Jerry's Army-Navy Surplus in 1929.[1] Rich's was founded in 1961 by Rich, his sons Bennett and Howard and his son-in-law Joel Saxe.[2] [3] Similar to chain stores like Ames and Bradlee's, the chain offered discounted brand-name merchandise. In 1994, the company had sales of $240 million (~$ in).[4] By Jerry Rich's death in 1995, the chain had 28 locations across New England.[5]

Bankruptcy and closure

Due to retail consolidation and pressure from Walmart, the chain went bankrupt on March 14, 1996.[6] Financial records in its bankruptcy filing detailed $63.4 million in assets and $51.3 million in liabilities.[7] While the business was initially optimistic about its ability to emerge from bankruptcy,[8] the store would shutter all its locations in December 1996.[9] Nearly 2,000 workers at the company's 28 stores in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont lost their jobs by February 1997.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Donker . Peter P. . RICH'S POISED FOR FIGHT . 2 November 2020 . . 5 May 1995.
  2. Web site: Jerry's Army & Navy Store - SalWiki . www.noblenet.org . 2 November 2020.
  3. News: New Highland Ave Department Store Opens . 30 April 2024 . . 4 April 1962 . en.
  4. News: Fahey . Tom . Rich's Stores in NH Ride Out Chapter 11 . 2 November 2020 . . 15 March 1996.
  5. News: Jerry Rich, 88; founder, chaiman of Rich's department store chain . 30 April 2024 . . 8 May 1995.
  6. Web site: Department chain closing all 20 stores . 2011-11-05 . Bangor Daily News. 1996-12-20 .
  7. Nolan . Jeffrey S. . RETAIL CONSOLIDATION IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS: TRENDS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SHOPPING CENTERS . September 1996 . 10 July 2020.
  8. News: Biz Briefs: Rich's Stores To Close. Alternative Medicine Plan. Four Stations Added. Biorelease Acquires. National Award . 2 November 2020 . . 9 October 1996.
  9. News: Donker . Peter P. . RICH'S CALLS IT QUITS . 2 November 2020 . . 20 December 1996.