Upscale Smith & Hawken becomes latest victim of recession | All stores closing

Upscale Smith & Hawken becomes latest victim of recession | All stores closing

July 14, 2009 3:27 pm
Smith & Hawken has begun it's going-out-of-business sales.
Smith & Hawken has begun it's going-out-of-business sales.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is shutting down its 56-store Smith & Hawken chain, which includes a shop in Bellevue at 12200 Northup Way # A.

The upscale garden and outdoor furniture retailer, founded in 1979 and acquired by Scotts in 2004 for $70 million, had experienced a sales decline of around 22 percent when the decision was made.

Scotts CEO Jim Hagedorn said in a statement that a weak economy and the lack of scale caused the chain’s downfall.

The company had been exploring options for Smith & Hawken, but decided closing the business was the better option, according to Hagedorn’s statement.

Smith & Hawken plans to begin going-out-of-business sales at all of its stores beginning Thursday. Orders on the retailer’s web site, catalog and call center stopped July 9.