ITEM PHOTO BY JIM WILSON
Brendan Hulbert of Salisbury, left, and Brian Flores of Everett move boxes of furniture at North Shore Furniture on Union Street in Lynn Wednesday. The store is scheduled to close after 19 years at their location.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — After nearly 20 years, the North Shore Furniture store in the downtown is shutting its doors.
It’s hard to miss the giant “Store Closing” and “Liquidation Sale” signs on the Union Street storefront.
John Chakalis, the building and shop owner, said it was time.
“It made more sense and it will be more profitable to lease the space,” he said.
The Newton resident won’t name the new tenant. But a source familiar with the deal said the 16,154-square-foot showrooms will became an adult day care center. Typically, such programs give caregivers a break by providing a place where elders can go for few hours and enjoy social activities and meals under supervision.
The store closing is an opportunity for furniture buyers to take advantage of deals.
There’s a gray corner sofa that’s been marked down to $689 from $1,000, a club chair has been reduced to $635 from $925, the price of a black leather sofa and loveseat has been dropped to $1,850 from $2,650, a black coffee table has been lowered to $239 from $345, and a white bookcase has a new price of $47, down from $68.
If you’re partial to a green, antique-looking bureau and mirror set, $1,000 has been taken off the price and it can be yours for $2,499.
“We’ve really slashed prices and there’s lots to choose from,” Chakalis said.
The store will close when all the merchandise has been sold, he said.
Chakalis acknowledged there’s lots of competition among furniture retailers including Bernie & Phyl’s, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Jordan’s Furniture, and a host of mom and pop shops.
“It’s a tough business,” he said. “But we invite our customers to come to our store in Burlington.”
Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.