DOWNEY - Officials at All-American Home Center confirmed this week that the home improvement store is closing after more than 50 years in business.A going-out-of-business sale started this week, with initial discounts up to 30 percent off. The store will close for good when all inventory has been sold, officials said. No reason was given for the store's closure but matriarch Lanny Gertler, whose father established the business in 1959, died last year, leaving the business to his daughter, Tamar Kane. Kane has not commented on the closure other than a short statement released Wednesday. "Our customers have shown us great loyalty for decades and we hope they take advantage of these incredible savings on home improvement supplies," Kane said in the statement. The Downey Patriot reported two weeks ago that employees were given notice of the store's closure in October. All-American has hired Boston-based Gordon Brothers Group to liquidate its inventory, which includes hardware, garden supplies, housewares and lumber. The company will also stock live Christmas trees, lights and decorations, said Tim Shilling, vice president of Gordon Brothers Group. "Discounts on these home improvement items are uncommon, so we expect merchandise will sell out quickly," Shilling said. "We encourage customers to shop early when the broadest selection of merchandise is available." All-American Home Center began as a small variety store near Firestone Boulevard and Dolan Avenue, selling a variety of home products and knick-knacks. After moving to its current location in 1970, the company expanded to eventually offer nearly 90,000 items in more than 19 departments. According to All American's website, the store currently offers more than 90,000 items in stock and employs nearly 175 sales associates, who will all soon be out of work.

********** Published: November 03, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 29