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Corral West Ranchwear to close Sunday

A staple at the Holiday Village Shopping Center for the last decade, Corral West Ranchwear is shutting its doors because it wasn't making enough money, the Western apparel chain's regional manager said today.

"We've been here for about 10 years, and although our business has been pretty good here, we've never made a profit," Dave Denson said.

The store's last day of business is Sunday, but the decision to close Havre's Corral West was made several months ago, Denson said.

The store's six employees, including manager Patti Schwan, learned Tuesday morning that they would lose their jobs.

"They gave us five whole days' notice," Schwan said. "I'm not sure what I'll do now. I have no idea until something else comes along."

Manager of Corral West for the last two years, Schwan said she and the other employees were not offered positions at an El Paso, Texas, Corral West site where the Havre merchandise and displays are being shipped.

"Business was slow. The last year was really slow because of the drought," she said. "And that's my business ranchers and farmers."

Flanked by Herberger's and Patty's Gifts Galore, the store's lease expired in June, Schwan said.

"(Denson) said our store never made money," she said. "But I don't think that's right."

Fred Griffith, senior vice president of real estate for Security National, the company that owns the mall, would not disclose what will replace Corral West or which stores have expressed interest in filling the vacant slot.

Established in 1951, Corral West Ranchwear operates 95 locations throughout the Western states.

 

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