Ashley down to ashes

One of the biggest business flameouts in recent North State history is now down to smoldering ashes. The Ashley Furniture HomeStores in Redding, Chico and Yuba City, which not so long ago seemed to be dominating forces in their markets, will be gone by the end of September.

The Redding and Yuba City stores have closed, and it was announced Monday (Aug. 30) that the Chico store had lost its lease and would liquidate its remaining inventory and close by the end of September, to be replaced by an Evans Furniture outlet.

All three franchises were owned by Robert and Vera Myers, of Chico, who have been incommunicado for months, since customers began complaining of undelivered furniture orders. The Butte County District Attorney’s Office is investigating.

Stephen Forsey, president of SPCI Cos., the outfit managing the liquidation, promised that all outstanding orders would be filled.