37 years to the month after opening the Southview store, Freson Bros. will lock the doors for the last time.
“It’s a tough day. Probably the toughest day I’ve had in business was yesterday here with our folks. Lots of emotion, lots of memory, and angst. It was a really difficult day for our people here. Our family” says Freson Bros Chairman Mike Lovsin
Lovsin says it primarily came down to a lack of agreement on a new lease with the landowners in Southview Plaza, where the store has been a tenant since 1982.
He adds that despite it being a difficult day for everybody around, it was the only decision to be made when it comes to their business model.
Offers of employment have been offered and accepted to current employees for work in the north store. However, some staff had ties severed outright on Wednesday. Lovsin says they also plan to renovate and upgrade the north Freson Bros location, with work on that expected to start in the fall.
“This isn’t a pity party, this is a decision we made. We are going to be reinvesting of our GP north store. We own that real estate and are in control of our own destiny there. So, for our Freson family, I feel great about it.” Livson says
Work on the north store is expected to begin in the fall.