Trader Horn to Close Kittanning Store
Sale-off of store inventory will begin mid-February at Trader Horn in Manor Township.
Trader Horn will be closing seven of its remaining stores in a regional chain that was started in 1958 in western Pennsylvania.
The closings includes the local store located in Manor Township.
An unidentified employee at the store said the owner, Bob Greenberger, who is reportedly is struggling with health issues, decided not to sell the chain because of the difficulty maintaining regionalized retail stores competing against major national companies.
Trader Horn’s parent company, Butler-county-based Harry Products, Inc., leased the current property after the bankruptcy of the Jamesway chain in 1994.
The Trader Horn store in Indiana was vacated several years ago following the end of the lease. The building was demolished and an Aldi grocery store was built in its place.
Liquidation of store inventory will begin in mid-February.
The closing affects approximately 200 employees, including a mix of 20 full and part-time persons here in Kittanning.
Local News, Regional News | KP NewsDesk January 14, 2016
By jorn jensen, January 14, 2016 @ 7:28 AM
This is very sad news. Trader Horn fills a unique nitch with a great tools selection, electrical, plumbing and specialization in wells equipment - pumps, foot valves, etc, plus everything else. It is a store well-suited to those who do not have all of the ‘city’ utilities. I often drive past other stores, lumber yards and hardwares to go to Trader Horn.
Regardless of competition, offer it for sale. Let someone else decide if they want to take the competitive risk. This certainly doesn’t help Armstrong County’s jobs situation.
By mad-2010, January 14, 2016 @ 8:09 AM
After many years of friendship, I wish Bob and Judy Greenberger the Very Best in the days to come.
By sickofpayingforit, January 14, 2016 @ 11:15 AM
Is this a reflection of the economy or is this just another random closing in Armstrong County. Speaking to the naysayers who don’t believe available service industries are a direct reflection of the local economy.
By Flamingo1, January 15, 2016 @ 10:22 AM
Trader Horn is a run-down dismal store. The staff was indifferent and less than helpful. People want to shop in well-lighted, clean stores. TH closes and Aldi arrives.
And Jorn would you really buy such a gloomy business? You have told us about your wonderful management skills, I am sure you could have turned it around.
By Rat_Smeller, January 15, 2016 @ 10:33 AM
Gonna miss having that store. They had a lot of things (particularly plumbing and electrical components) that can’t be found at the big-box stores. There have been several projects that I worked on around my house where I could not find a particular part I needed at the big-box stores that I found at Trader Horn.
By sabrinafair, January 15, 2016 @ 12:43 PM
Sad to see them closing. They have things other stores don’t. Prices are reasonable. I am really going to miss this store.
By steve, January 15, 2016 @ 7:32 PM
It’s spelled “niche” there cowboy.
By blutoblutarsky, January 18, 2016 @ 11:56 AM
Sickof,
I believe that I read in another publication last week that the owners cited declining health as well as competition as the reasons for closing. If this is the case it is no reflection of the local economy. Also, please consider that there are no Lowes, Home Depots, etc closing.
Also, the discussion you’re referring to was regarding one comment that was made on chain restaurants many months ago. Not all service industries. You’re twisting things quite a bit with your comment, which isn’t surprising.
By sabrinafair, January 18, 2016 @ 2:25 PM
I love this store. They carry stuff most other stores can’t or won’t. I should go buy up all of their embroidery supplies while I have the chance. So sad to see them closing.