Torrance's Wickes Furniture Closing
Find out the store's last day.
By Muhammed El-Hasan Staff WriterThe “going out of business” sign in front of the Wickes Furniture in Torrance resembles a similar sign on the In Your Place Furniture store in Hermosa Beach as well as placards that graced the Levitz Furniture sites in Torrance and Hawthorne a few months ago.
The furniture retail industry is suffering a nationwide slump, the result of a slowing housing market and general downturn in the nation’s economy. Fewer people buying homes means lower sales of couches, dining tables and recliners. The credit crunch and weakening job market represent further blows to furniture sellers.
“Real estate problems are causing problems for furniture retailers, and will continue to do so for at least another year,” retail analyst George Whalin said. “It’s a slump. I don’t know if I’d quantify it as huge.”
Employees at the Wickes in Torrance said the store’s last day is Sunday. A worker on Thursday vacuumed the mostly empty furniture showroom as would-be customers browsed the shrinking selection at 18850 Hawthorne Blvd.
Read the full story.