By Providence Journal Staff

Monday

Jun 29, 2020 at 11:50 AM Jun 29, 2020 at 11:50 AM

Many of the last vestiges of the once-mighty Ann & Hope discount-store chain will close within four months, the company’s founding founding family announced Monday.

“Due to the significant economic impact brought on by the unprecedented COVID-19 public health crisis, Ann & Hope has made the difficult decision to permanently cease its Curtain & Bath Outlet operations across New England over the next three to four months,” the family said in an emailed statement.

The company is planning a Store Closing sale starting July 9 at each of its 11 Curtain & Bath Outlet in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and will close the stores by the end of the summer.

On the SouthCoast, the nearest one is at 57 Faunce Corner Mall Road, North Dartmouth.

Discussions regarding the future of the company’s Ann & Hope Garden Outlet locations “remain ongoing,” the statement said.

“This was an exceedingly difficult decision, but after carefully looking at all of our available options, it became apparent that it was inevitable,” said Corporate Vice President Ron Dore said in the statement. “The unprecedented economic uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 public health crisis, combined with more consumers gravitating toward online shopping alternatives, has created a retail environment that is simply no longer sustainable for many locally owned businesses like ours.”

“We are tremendously proud of everything we have been able to accomplish in Rhode Island and across southern New England since our founding in 1953,” Dore continued. “We want to express our sincere gratitude to each of our associates, whose day-to-day dedication to making the shopping experience special for our millions of customers over the years has helped build Ann & Hope into the unique company we will always be proud of and always remember.”

The decision closes another chapter of the chain, which helped lay the groundwork for retail giants Kmart and Walmart. Beginning when Russian immigrant Martin Chase bought the 450,000-square-foot Ann & Hope Mill in Cumberland from the Lonsdale Company for $350,000, it expanded to stores across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, employing 3,000, before succumbing to competition from leviathans like Walmart. .

Ann & Hope intends to retain employees as long as its business permits, the statement said, and “will also make an effort to introduce its associates to area businesses with employment opportunities.”

As the closing process continues, additional information will be made available at curtainandbathoutlet.com.

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Ann & Hope to permanently close all Curtain & Bath Outlets

Monday