All 62 Dirt Cheap locations throughout the southeast are slated to close, including three in the Golden Triangle.
The bargain store’s parent company, Channel Control Merchants, filed Friday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to the court documents filed in Delaware, the bankruptcy will lead to all of the retail locations closing.
“The Debtors have recently suffered operational losses stemming from, among other things, onerous lease obligations, underperforming retail locations, and the continued growth of online competitors and decline for in-store shoppers,” the court document read.
The three locations in the Golden Triangle – one each in Starkville, Columbus and West Point – are already advertising “store closing sales.” The Dispatch did not hear back from Dirt Cheap, Channel Control Merchants, or the holding company HDC Holding II LLC to confirm when the stores would close permanently.
Dirt Cheap was founded in Hattiesburg 30 years ago. The company purchases various manufacturer’s products through buybacks, closeouts, bankruptcies, returns, etc., and sells those products at discounted rates throughout their stores.
There were reports in the news that included Bargain Hunt as one of the stores slated to close as well; however, that is not true. Bargain Hunt, which also has locations in Columbus, West Point and Starkville, is not one of HDC Holdings II LLC affiliates and is not affected by the company’s bankruptcy. A Bargain Hunt representative confirmed its stores will remain open.
As for Dirt Cheap’s closure, I’m taking it very personally. Dirt Cheap was a staple in my childhood and a go-to spot in college for passing time and finding hidden treasures. Farewell to one of my favorite pastimes.
Good news in Starkville though, Amazon’s “last mile” facility is open at NorthStar Industrial Park.
Mayor Lynn Spruill confirmed the facility is operational. According to previous Dispatch reporting, the facility is approximately 50,000 square feet projected to create up to 120 jobs. Amazon is advertising various job openings on Indeed including delivery drivers, warehouse associates and team members.
The Starkville Amazon facility serves as the last point for packages before drivers deliver them to customers.
Moving to Columbus, The Purple Elephant has moved from Wilkins Wise to 2321 Hwy. 45 N., Suite K. The boutique reopened at its new location last week. Janis Kerstetter, who co-owns the boutique with Shelia Miller, said the new location offers a larger store, more storage and ample parking.
“We’re excited about our new location and we can’t wait for everyone to come out and shop with us,” Kerstetter said.
Check out The Purple Elephant’s new shop 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
It’s sweater weather and that means it’s spooky season! There’s tons of activities to celebrate Halloween and the fall season.
Columbus Main Street’s Downtown Boo Bash will be 5-8 p.m. Oct. 24. The Boo Bash will have trick-or-treating for kids of all ages, downtown shopping galore, pumpkin carving contest and more. Check out The Boo Bash online for more information.
Starkville’s annual Pumpkinpalooza will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 24 offering face-painting, trick or treating, pumpkin racing, a pumpkin patch and more. There’s plenty to do around our towns during the spooky season. Have fun, be safe and I’ll see y’all next week.
Former Dispatch reporter Mary Pollitz writes weekly about interesting business news. Have a tip, send it to her at [email protected].
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 40 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
