Payless closure ‘hits close to home’ in Brookville, where facility employs 550

There was still activity Friday evening at the Payless ShoeSource Eastern Distribution Center, a large employer for northwest Montgomery County in the city of Brookville.

RELATED: Brookville distribution hub in danger as parent prepares for bankruptcy

Going out of business sales start next week at the company’s roughly 2,300 stores, which will remain open through at least the end of March.

“I think it’s really bad for the area, and the community. There’s a lot of people especially here in town that do work there,” said Chrissy Davis, who has lived in Brookville for the last decade and at one point looked into a job at the distribution center for a convenient work commute.

“It makes it harder, especially for people who are here. We are a small town. It’s hard to find jobs. A lot of people have to drive to Dayton and that’s a pretty big commute and it’s a hard drive back and forth,” she said.

Payless released a statement Friday, saying:

"Payless will begin liquidation sales at its U.S. and Puerto Rico stores on Feb. 17, 2019, and is winding down its e-commerce operations.
We expect all stores to remain open until at least the end of March and the majority will remain open until May."

According to Payless’ website, the company employs more than 18,000 people. This includes the 550 at the Brookville distribution center.

In addition to the Brookville facility, it operates area stores at the Dayton Mall, Mall at Fairfield Commons, Sugar Creek Plaza, Midpointe Center in Middletown, on Salem Avenue in Dayton, Bechtle Crossing in Springfield, on Voice of America Drive in West Chester Twp., Bridgewater Falls in Fairfield Twp. and others.

Got a news tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com.

About the Author