Year-end close set for 2 store outlets
BY WILL BUSS

Furniture Brands International has announced it will close its Broyhill and Lane stores in O’Fallon by the end of the year.

The Clayton, Mo.-based furniture company will close six other Broyhill and Lane stores across the river and eliminate a total of 83 jobs. The other six stores are in Brentwood, Mo.; Manchester, Mo., and O’Fallon, Mo.


In a statement released by company board vice chairman and chief executive officer designate Ralph Scozzafava, the move was part of the company’s new strategic plan to realign its retail distribution system. He said the company will continue its Thomasville and Drexel Heritage stores.

“We appreciate the efforts of all of our associates, and we will assist them as they seek other employment,” Scozzafava said. “We also appreciate the many consumers who have purchased furniture at our Broyhill and Lane stores, we assure them of continued service throughout this transition, and we invite them to take advantage of the great values to be realized as we are winding down those operations.”

The metro-east stores will close after less than two years in business. The two 40,000-square-foot stores opened on Central Park Plaza in O’Fallon in February 2013.

Furniture Brands International staff attorney Lynn Chipperfield said the eight stores will be closing for the next two days and merchandise will be retagged. Stores are expected to temporarily reopen Friday.

Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 24.