Bargain hunters in Chicago's River Grove and Fairfield, IA, are bracing for a blow as two long-standing discount havens, Bargains in a Box and the Jefferson County Health Center Auxiliary's Bargain Box, announce closures amid rising costs and challenging retail environments, marking an end to eras that spanned decades.
Bargains in a Box, a local staple for eclectic finds and deep discounts, is preparing to shutter its doors for the last time this Sunday, following the lead of its Villa Park and Bellawood outlets earlier this month, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times. The family-owned parent company, The Bazaar Inc., has decided to pivot away from the retail model to solely concentrate on its wholesale overstock business, with CEO Bradley Nardick stating, "But at some point you have to decide who you want to be."
Similarly, the Bargain Box in Fairfield will end its operations on August 31, ending a cycle that began back in 1967—before its' said goodbye, patrons can expect closing sales with announcements popping up on the JCHC Auxiliary Facebook page; Deb Bartholomew, the store manager, characterizes the decision to close as "necessary." An outpour of gratitude towards the community was expressed by Kathy Gerard, Auxiliary President, in an appreciative nod to nearly six decades of community support, revealed in a release acquired by the Southeast Iowa Union.
At its peak Bargains in a Box, gave jobs to about 100 people across eight stores, and now, with the River Grove store's imminent closure, approximately 25 jobs are being cut, despite the retail arm's undeniable impact on local shopping habits, prolific in providing customers with hidden gems within its colossal cardboard bins. Reveling in the memories of past sales and the sense of treasure hunt they engendered, CEO Nardick reminisces about his earliest experiences with the company, echoing a sentiment of appreciation for the retail journey, with Bradley Nardick telling the Chicago Sun-Times in a moment of reflection.
Although these closures mark the end of local shopping chapters amidst economic pressures including rising rents, intensified competition, and lingering impacts of the pandemic according to reports, both Bargains in a Box and the Auxiliary's Bargain Box have made it clear that their legacies of value and community engagement will remain well remembered by the bargain seekers whose lives they've touched.c
