Photo by Brandy Nance
Abbey Vogel, manager of Jim Bell & Son, stands in front of a boot display.
COTTONWOOD FALLS
Years of monetary losses have taken their toll on one of Cottonwood Falls’ oldest stores. Jim Bell & Son will close for good in March.
Jim Bell & Son officially closed Wednesday, but will reopen next Wednesday to liquidate all merchandise and fixtures. The store will lock its doors March 8.
Manager Abbey Vogel was in the store Thursday morning putting up liquidation signs and bringing fixtures up from the basement in preparation for next week’s sale. Vogel said the owner, Bill Haw, announced his decision Saturday to close the store. An article in the Chase County Leader-News reported the business had lost at least $50,000 a year for the past 14 years.
“It was purely a financial decision,” Vogel said, taking a break from her work. “It was never truly financially successful since he bought it.”
The store has only had two owners. Haw bought the store in 1993 from the Bell family, who had owned the store for 66 years. The Bell family opened the store in 1927. Vogel took over management of the store in 2001.
“He (Haw) tried a lot of different things for a lot of years,” Vogel said.
The store, originally an outfitter for the cowboys who handled the big herds of cattle grazing in the Flint Hills, had added inventory to attract more tourist business. But as business lagged, inventory was cut and the staff was reduced. None of the changes were enough to turn the business to profitability.
“Local or tourist, there’s just not enough traffic,” Vogel said.
Vogel said the closure of the store will be a sad thing for the town, especially during rodeo time and the annual Chase County Christmas, when the store tends to be a focal point.
“Those days will be really sad,” she said.
Vogel is unsure what will happen to the building after the store closes.
“The last thing we want is for it to sit empty,” she said.
Vogel said after the store closes on March 8, she will stay home with her two children, Piper, 1 and Pax, 3. She also will help her husband with his feed business. Vogel said working at the store has been a good experience for her.
“It was a good opportunity for me and I’m thankful for the time I’ve had here,” she said.
Jim Bell & Son will be open from Feb. 13 to March 8. All merchandise will be 50 percent off. Merchandise not sold by March 8 will be donated to charity, Vogel said. There will be no further mark-downs.
Comments
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Posted by letsride (anonymous) on February 8, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The store priced the normal working people away from it. When the Bells had it, at least a working person could afford to buy items in there. Sorry Mr Haw I cannot feel sorry for you & all it means is just another empty store front with a loss of a few tax dollars the county cannot spend on their remodeling of the court house--no great loss
Posted by truelovecharlie (anonymous) on February 8, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't you just love the "Shop Your Hometown First"----let us put the screws to you. The big drawback to living in a small town, the retailers have a certain amount of the population as hostage customer's and over-price their items and then cry when you drive to the next town to buy. I would rather make a small profit off of a lot of sales than make a big profit off of a few sales.
Posted by GARRISONJHALL (anonymous) on February 8, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I HAVE LIVED IN EMPORIA FOR 20 YEARS...AM SADDEND JIM BELL & SON IS CLOSING. THE STORE IS A LINK TO THE PAST...REALLY SAD.
FOR ANYONE POSTING NASTY "GLAD YOU'RE GONE" TYPE OF COMMENTS, SORRY...BUT, THIS NOT THE TIME, NOR PLACE.
....UNLESS, AND ESPECIALLY...IF YOU'VE NOT BEEN IN BUSINESS YOURSELF, OR HAVE NEVER RUN A BUSINESS (WHICH I HAVE...MANAGED A BUSINESS).
LONG LIVE THE MEMORY OF JIM BELL & SON CLOTHING!
Posted by admireed (anonymous) on February 8, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CWF upscale try just did not work. Locals could shop[ Bluestem F&R and Wichita and buy for a little less. Just did not work out. Thanks for the years of service and trying to make it
Posted by momus (anonymous) on February 8, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt an owner that lost 50 G's a year for 14 years was trying to "put the screws" to anyone. Yeah, they might have been more expensive, but their costs were also probably higher. And, it's not like they were in an area that was what you would call high traffic. I wasn't a Jim Bell's shopper, but I'm certainly not going to thumb my nose at a business going out. We need people to feel like they can open businesses in and around our community. With a limited understanding of the margins it takes to run a retail business profitably, I'm not sure most businesses these days could generate the local support necessary to make it.
Their product mix wasn't exactly my thing, but I'm never going to be happy to watch a local business (especially one with so much history) fade away.
Posted by roger (anonymous) on February 9, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt an owner who lost 50 g a year for 14 years was looking for much of a business except a tax shelter. It is sad to see any business close in a small town. Maybe Bluestem could open a branch there. I like Bluestem. Maybe some portable venders can take up the slack for the rodeo.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on February 10, 2008 at 12:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree Roger, no one trying to run a successful business is going to go 14yrs at a $50k/yr loss.
The last time I went to the store, I was shocked right back out the door with the prices. I realize they don't buy the volume Bluestem and other retailers do to be able to compete with other markets, but wow.
Posted by railroadhorn (anonymous) on February 10, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone know what time they'll reopen the store for sales on Wednesday? 8 a.m.? 8:30 a.m.? I don't think the article stated the time just the day for the 50% off sale....
Posted by gold66801 (anonymous) on March 3, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
why would anyone want a dam ripoff place such as BFR store any where. You people that shop BFR you really don,t have a clue.........
Posted by roger (anonymous) on March 3, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have shopped bfr for 40 years since they were just a little building south of napa. In all those years I never once felt ripped off. They have helped me through some rough years and dire situations. I believe, Gold, that I do have a clue. I don't think they made you buy from them at gunpoint so it might be you that doesn't have a clue about buying what you need. Maybe you should drive to Topeka to TSC or Orshelans and see how good Bluestem actually is. Bluestem is the best farm and ranch store from Topeka to Ottawa to Emporia to Whichita. I know people that drive from whichita and further to Bluestem. I don't live in Emporia but I still make trips to bluestem.
Posted by roger (anonymous) on March 3, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bills hardware in Hartford was the second best but I haven't been down there for years.
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