The Commerce-based operators of 99 Cents Only stores announced Thursday they will shutter all 371 of its locations, many of which are located in San Diego, with liquidation sales set to begin Friday.
NBC 7's Shandel Menezes spoke with shoppers outside beloved 99 Cents Only stores on Friday as they filed in to make their final purchases with the retailer.
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
The move will impact all company locations in California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas.
Local
"This was an extremely difficult decision and is not the outcome we expected or hoped to achieve," interim company CEO Mike Simoncic said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the last several years have presented significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment, including the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting consumer demand, rising levels of shrink, persistent inflationary pressures and other macroeconomic headwinds,
all of which have greatly hindered the company's ability to operate.
"We deeply appreciate the dedicated employees, customers, partners, and communities who have collectively supported 99 Cents Only Stores for decades."
According to the company, it has partnered with Hilco Real Estate to facility a liquidation of all merchandise, along with "certain fixtures, furnishings and equipment at the company's stores."
The 99 Cents Only stores were founded in 1982.
Company officials said they conferred with financial and legal advisers in hopes of finding a way to continue operating.
"Following months of actively pursuing these alternatives, the company ultimately determined that an orderly wind-down was necessary and the best way to maximize the value of 99 Cents Only Stores' assets,'' according to a company statement.
