DOWNEY – All-American Home Center, a Downey staple for more than 50 years, selling everything from lawn mowers and ceiling fans to paint thinners and kitchen faucets, is closing its doors this December, according to sources.
The reports come after months of speculation that the home store was nearing possible bankruptcy and liquidation.
Although store executives would not confirm or deny the claims, sources say employees were notified this month of the impending closure.
Founded in 1959 by father and son business duo Irving and Lanny Gertler, All-American Home Center began as a small corner market, near the corner of Firestone Boulevard and Dolan Street, selling a variety of home products and knick-knacks.
In 1970, the Gertlers purchased a large parcel of land at 7201 Firestone Blvd. and moved into a 40,000-square-foot building, which expanded into a nearly 175,000-square-foot facility with over 25 departments.
Tamar Kane, daughter of the late Lanny Gertler, took over the family business after her father’s death in February 2010.
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.
In addition to the closure, employees at All-American Home Center are also mourning the loss of longtime employee Joseph Barum who committed suicide Tuesday morning at 7:11 a.m. inside his home in Norwalk.
Barum, 50, had been an employee at All-American for more than 25 years, but recently grew concerned about “economic issues and feared losing his home,” according to Los Angeles County Coroner investigators.
While store officials declined to comment on the matter, they did confirm Barum's death.
Store owner Tamar Kane could not be reached for comment on the incident.