A longtime tenant of the Towne Centre Mall is closing down. Towne Centre Furniture plans to shut its doors this summer after being in the city for nearly 40 years. General Manager Jerry Kilani says he’s loved being in business for all that time, but that it’s time for him to start thinking about retirement.
“This was a wonderful journey and a business opportunity. It has been fun and interesting. There have been many trends and changes in the industry with design, styles, and comfort. Home furnishings have evolved and it’s been exciting to keep up to trends for our clientele.”
The furniture store will be following in the footsteps of some other longtime local businesses, like Freson Bros., Majestic Tire and Harry’s Auto Wreckers, who have also recently gone out of business. Kilani says he’s seen Grande Prairie evolve over the years and he has seen the shopping climate change downtown.
“Downtown was once the centre of shopping and activities. The population here has increased, it has become more suburban and it has a major city climate where everything is available. Now a lot of the shopping has shifted to the outskirts and this part of town has more specialty stores.”
While nothing has been confirmed, Kilani says they are trying to make sure all their employees have another job before doors close. A closing sale will be held starting on May 3rd and is set for 90 days but could end sooner if inventory runs out.
