Crap! I go there probably 4 times a week for my business. I loved that place. I feel horrible for the people working there...I knew so many of them! I was going to go there today again and it is definitely shut down! Just got back....

So very sad.....

I really feel for all the employees, especially as we are coming into the holiday season. I sure hope that corporate took care of these workers and gave them a little something extra.

On the flip side of that coin is my cynicism. Great, another large, empty store in Oswego coupled with all the little ones nobody can fill. CompUSA has been empty for ... gosh... I cannot recall exactly but it's been more than 2 years. So now because the county will need more money can you say tax increase (again)? The ugly keeps getting uglier.

This was my favorite home improvement store. I remodeled my kitchen earlier this spring and was helped by many of the employees in appliances, cabinets, and flooring. What a great group of employees.

Wow interesting since it was announced some time back that Lowe's would close some stores in the area but this was not one even though I said back then I was surprised it was not on the list since Menards and Home Depot seemed to have more foot traffic in it then Lowe's at time. Even though the other 2 seemed like empty sometimes when I was in both of them. Now I wonder when the one in Aurora will close since I hardly see anyone in that one too. Unfortunately this is the times of the down economy and happens when you have to much stuff in one place, as Oswego/Montgomery does on Route 34.
As for Beth suggesting a possible tax increase maybe in the future, that is almost a given, since another big box store has left, and never to return
So Sadly my next prediction is Dominick's well be closed at the end of the year or early next. I would hate to see this too, but the grim reality, and that store has always been low on foot traffic every since I moved out here some 6 years ago when Oswego had it's building boom of Housing and Retail along Route 34.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lowes-closing-20-underperforming-stores-2011-10-17
Checked online...they have closed! Loved them so much more than Home Depot.

So sad.

With Menards, HD and Lowes, something had to give. Given the building boom is long gone and there's no light at the end of the tunnel for home improvement per se. This shouldn't come as a huge shock.

I agree with Richard too, between Wal Mart, Meijer, Jewel and Target (now selling food) Dominicks seems to always be the least one busy.

What is going to happen is a contraction back closer in to Chicago by people and in the process will be more closings of business as the population base shrinks.

Yes - I drove by this morning and the letters are gone from the front of the store and the windows are all covered up. They must have the employees doing inventory or helping pack things up because there was about 25 cars in the parking lot this morning. So sad to see another store in Oswego closed.

Lowes was always known as a Lumber yard in the south, their Home base, with a small home Improvement area, they came here because the other Big Box was here and profitable, but they could not compete in an established market. I feel for the employess in this recession, but it proves that the best rises to the top while the others just wannabee. I still shop the other OrangeSstore and always will!

Aurora is also closing/closed. The tribune stated 1950 jobs lost by 20 stores closing. Very sad. Where can I get an additional job now to pay the taxes??

Oops looks like I did not see that the Aurora stored closed until the list came out
Los Banos, CA Biddeford, ME Old Bridge, NJ
Westminster, CA Ellsworth, ME Batavia, NY
Denver, CO Ionia, MI N. Kingstown, RI
Aurora, IL Rogers, MN Emporia, VA
Oswego, IL Claremont, NH S. Tacoma, WA
Chalmette, LA Hooksett, NH Brown Deer, WI
Haverhill, MA Manchester, NH

Regarding the comment about Dominick's...I am suprised that they are still open as well. I've been thinking that once Dominicks' closes, that Target will expand to a 24 hour super Target in that space.

@Janis and Karin, My wife now is an exclusive Dominick's shopper, because as she says, it's always empty!

Charlene Coulombe-Fiore, head of the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation, expressed surprise at the closing, but said it creates an opportunity for another big box retailer to come in.

Wow...now that's spin, if ever I have seen spin....which big box retailer, Ms. Charlene?

I've been unemployed for a year and a half so I reluctantly welcome those 192 hard working Americans to the ranks of the unemployed. And the list gets longer.

Honestly, things were much better in the age of the mom and pop stores. Yeah, you would not be able to find everything under the sun, possibly part of the downfall to these companies who are forced to shutter their doors, but those businesses thrived and they were plenty. Big box retailers have shuttered main street America and there is a little to be said about Karma.

Dominick's, is a very nice store, but when I have to shop there, their prices are sometimes 2 to 3 times that of Wal-Mart, Meijers, and Target. This pretty much forces my hand, as well and many other struggling families, to go to the Big Box not-so-fresh retailers.

But now we remove 192 more customers from the ranks of people who will no longer be able spend into our tax base. 192 more families who now have to tighten their belts and attempt to make ends meet on a meager Unemployment check. 192 more people in that ever expanding funnel of job applicants. A funnel with a very narrow opening at the end. You can't tell me that these companies have tried everything they could to keep these stores open.

I fell very bad for all these people and their families. But, I do say please keep the faith. You can make it through this. I may be a long road for some, but you can do it.

We are a bit upset that our customers were allowed to order items right up until Lowes closed. We were never led to believe that the closing was imminent. As a contractor, our reputation is directly tied to the quality of the product and to the vendor's service and warranties.
My clients are understanding of the situation ( those that chose Lowe's over my recommended vendor, I feel for them.) Fortunately, we aren't left holding the big bag of doodoo. I do wish to assure anyone we've been working with that we can find suitable items, perhaps even better quality items, for their project from vendors other than Lowes. I recommend others contact their contractors immediately to make arrangements for refunds, waivers of lien, etc.
This is just another indication of the economy. I feel for those that lost their jobs and hope that they recover from that loss. The community has lost another decent business partner and yet another stream of revenue. WE wish you luck.
Sincerely,
Russ and Christa Harrison
Harrison Architectural Support Services

Sorry to see the jobs go but not surprised. Three big box home improvement stores in such close proximity, it was bound to happen.

That said, with Lowe's out of business can we now remove one of the four stoplights that are turning Ogden into a Naperville Route 59 part 2?

I am not surprised at all. I was a commercial salesman for that store and work very hard to make and keep our commercial customers. Just because you might now retail, the commercial end is a whole different story. I have been in construction and commercial sales most of my life, and there are 3 important things. Service, service, and more service. Management fought the commercial end constantly and that is why that store went through over 12 sales people in 4 years. When you hire a professional like myself, you don't have to be looking over my shoulder every 15 minutes. Since the commercial side would generate over 35 - 40% of the stores sales, you think it would be the focus of management. I have been doing this all my life and with the proper management that store could have survived on the commercial sales alone. For those of you who may not understand what a commercial customer may be, they include not just contractors and builders, but also, the city, the park districts, schools, property management, hotels, hospitals, and all the other business in the area. It is literally millions and millions of dollars in business every month. But you have to want it to keep it. Like a lot of big corporations, to many managers and supervisors.

We will be sad if Dominicks closes. The quality of their merchandise, produce (except lately), meat and especially their bakery are second to none. They are, however, shooting themselves in the foot with the high prices. If they want business, they will have to get with the times and drop prices on packaged merchandise across the board to match the other area retailers. Their most recent sale fliers show an attempt at the right direction, but they are still high in their sales advertising than most of the other stores.

I sincerely hope they get their act together and start competing. If not, they are likely to be the next to go.

(We shop Dominicks for the same reason as the Jack's: they are always empty. That and the $5.99 "Connie's"-style pizzas on Fridays.)

Here is the funny thing about Dominicks for me - every time I go it is empty, but it still take me longer to check out! I think if they seriously improved their cashiering process it would help a lot!
The last time I went there I literally had the cashier say (outloud) as she was bagging my items, "whoops! I'm never bagging that way again!" What kind of comment was that to make? Even though it only takes 5 minutes to go through the entire store, the checkout process can take at least twice that (if not more), and there is never more than one lane open. Should I also point out that the day this happened there were three other employees standing around at the customer service desk?
The last time I went there, I had a wonderful, sharp, efficient, and FAST checkout man, and I actually wrote a note right then and there to tell Dominick's that he should get a raise! I would go back there any day that guy is working!

I was at Famous Dave's on Saturday Night (which apparently is also having economic issues since they have removed items from their menu and are "testing" serving meals without the Corn on the Cob). The light behind the L on the sign was burned out so that the sign read "OWES." Pretty prophetic if you ask me.

Not sure why there is so much love for Lowe's. I'm finishing my basement and have found Lowe's to be 10-15% higher than Menard's. Plus, the people working in Lowe's (Aurora) were always busy NOT helping the customer's. Not a surprise to me at all the Lowe's in Aurora shutdown. I'd love a Menard's there so my drive to the one in Montgomery wasn't so far.

I feel for the people in the Oswego location. That location seemingly was perfect right on 34.

This might be off topic from the Lowes conversation but it relates to customer service at Dicks Sporting Goods. If you receive Dicks cash coupons and they have expired Oswego will honor them. My Grand-kids are in many sports and this has saved my sons a lot of money. Thank you Dicks for listening to your customers.
Mr. Pelletier I hope that you have another job. Your comments on here show your desire to be the best at what you do. Good Luck Sir.

The sadest thing is I really loved my job and what I do. The potential of that store or any business is unlimited. But if you don't listen to your employees and customers you will never suceed. Its all about customer service, making the customer happy and keeping them that way. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but when you do, this is another chance to make a customer happy. And isn't it a lot more fun when everyone is HAPPY!!!!? Again, take the time to tell a store manager both good and bad. Trust me, you will make someone's day a whole lot brighter when you tell them something good.

Hello, I am so sorry to all those employees. Service Service service....be appreciative to those spending. the young people need to have the real world fully divulged.

I have a public question....back in the spring we all discussed ways to dispute our tax assessments and now we are in that 30 day window. i am buying the listing tonight after class to compare neighbors. can someone explain the process options again. I can proceed on my own common sense.
Our taxing bodies was pointed out the fact that our homes worth less and they simply raised our tax rates to the maximum they could.....do remember to vote and listen to other candidates that may cut spending cause the taxpayers can not handle their requests anymore.

Good Day to all of Lowes employees i am sorry

jerri powell

Terrible for the employees. : ( I shopped there for paint (in fact I needed to hit that place up this week for a project), but that was it. Their prices were so high in comparison to HD, Menards or Walmart (for smaller items, spray paint, etc.). Of course, it's always been like that -- Lowes then HD then Menards. I did pop in ther quite a bit because we have done so much painting over the past few years and our experience was that they were always much friendlier and more helpful than what I have encountered at HD.

Guess I'll hike it over to 59 this week and get my next batch of Olympic there!

Hello,

I am so sorry for all those employees. Especially those that were really committed to the success of Lowes for this community.
i wrote a very brief letter to editor to discuss the property taxes since I feel that is a distraction to this situation for these folks.
I hope you all can continue that topic there so the process can be disclosed. I just sent it in last night so we need to give Steve a chance to post it for discussion.
I am so sorry for another hit.....

Jerri Powell

i feel for the people who bought stuff and now cant return it. also i feel for the employees, on the good side they will get 60 days pay and benifits then can get unemployment. at least they will get the 60 days pay and that will take them through the holidays.
Cobb said employees will receive benefits and pay for 60 days and are being offered opportunities for transfers to other locations and assistance with applying for unemployment benefits.

I agree 3 Home Improvement stores in that close of proximity not a great idea. I'm also worried about Dominik's and I am very surprised they are still open. They had some good sales over the week-end but you really have to shop just the sales. I enjoy not having huge crowds to work thru on my shopping trips but the prices are so high.

I try to go to Aldi's first and then I shop at like 3-4 other stores to try and get the best prices for everything. I don't really like Meijer's and the prices have gotten higher and the place is way too busy. Walmart has gotten better and Target's good for H&B products and some other food items.

I feel bad for those out of work now.

Hello,

In order to appreciate the employees experience at the loss of lowes....My letter on assessments is active and I have began with the steps I have found.

Good Day to all of our challenges....It is a time to activate yourselves....

Jerri Powell

Maybe it's time to open your eyes and come to the conclusion. More and more of this is bound to happen in Oswego.People can't afford to do the things they did years ago in this area. The thickest part of the local paper is the forclosure notices. Taxes are thru the ceiling. The village has unionized tax payer funded pensioned employees, and pay wages like the big cities. Look at the biggest buildings in Oswego. The Village Hall,.New Fire Station. all paid for with tax dollars.Who do you think is going to come up with the short falls (The Taxpayer) I am not anti union but you don't have the taxbase to fund these wages and pensions folks. Champange taste on a beer income never works.

I too am sorry to hear of Lowe's closing in Montgomery. I've always found the Rt 59/Naperville area to be a sort of overcrowded cesspool (not so much Lowe's, but other stores like Wal Mart and Sam's club). When I recently started shopping in Montgomery/Oswego, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the crowds were much fewer.

I used to shop Home Depot pretty exclusively until I happened to go into a Lowes, where I discovered that prices on the plumbing supplies I needed at the time were consistently lower than the Depot (or Menards). Fewer crowds, a cleaner store, and nicer employees made me an instant convert. One of the employees in Montgomery (I think she was a customer service supervisor/manager) even remembered me from a previous visit, which I thought was a nice touch.

My guess is that the area was supposed to be under heavy (housing) development, so these new and big stores were built in preparation for that. Since housing didn't work out, these stores ended up with fewer customers than anticipated.

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