“Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the best days of the week,” reads the header on the Weekends Only website’s “About Us” page.
Not for long though. Soon, Weekends Only won’t even be open on weekends.
Multiple industry publications including Furniture Today and Furniture World reported Tuesday that the Webster Groves, Missouri-based furniture retailer will close all eight store locations. The reason given for the closure is the retirement of owner Tom Phillips.
Fairview Heights Director of Economic Development Paul Ellis said he was surprised by news of the closure but knows it’s part of the reality of retail and real estate.
Ellis said that as far as he knows, the Fairview Heights store was the top-performing store in the chain and is sorry to see them go. He also said that large commercial spaces like this are highly desirable and confident a new tenant will be found.
Furniture World shared comments Phillips made in a press release.
“After 25 years of serving the St. Louis area, Indianapolis and Springfield, Missouri, we are so grateful for the many team members who worked with us and the customers we have been fortunate to serve,” Phillips stated in the release.
“We cherish the many friends we have made in the industry over the years. There has been so much change in our industry over the past few years and given the storm of challenges retailers face, now is a right time to retire and celebrate the success and good fortune we’ve had in the business,” continued Phillips.
No official closing date was provided; however, Furniture Today reported that Planned Furniture Promotions will handle the liquidation and going-out-of-business sales for Weekends Only and that PFP officials expect sales to start in January.
The Phillips family has been part of the St. Louis furniture market since opening Phillips Mercantile in 1937, according to the Weekends Only website.
The first Weekends Only store opened in 1997. The Fairview Heights store at 51 Commerce Lane opened Friday, March 30, 2001.
In addition to Fairview Heights, Missouri stores include Bridgeton, South County, St. Peters, West County and Springfield. There are also two Indiana locations.
For info about Weekends Only, visit weekendsonly.com or facebook.com/WeekendsOnlyFurniture.
This story was originally published November 16, 2022 12:07 PM.
Jennifer Green has been with the Belleville News-Democrat since 2006. She covers restaurants and business openings/closings. Green is a 2001 graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Please share tips and feedback at 618-239-2643 or [email protected].
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