Raven Rock to shut down its last remaining store

Raven Rock Workwear is closing its last remaining store in Sugarcreek Twp. and is going out of business, Tom Barker, the retailer’s vice president of merchandising, said Monday.

At its peak, the Washington Twp.-based specialty retailer had 17 stores in a five-state region. But the company, which was launched 10 years ago in Dayton, fell on hard times and shut down all of its stores except its first store in the Sugarcreek Plaza in Sugarcreek Twp., according to Barker.

That location is now in the midst of a “going-out-of-business” sale, and the store, along with its Washington Twp. corporate headquarters, will shut down permanently in the coming weeks or months, Barker said. The closings will impact about 12 people, he said.

Raven Rock specializes in high-end, rugged work clothing and boots, from brands such as Carhartt, Wolverine and Timberland. Many of its stores were in shopping malls, and the high leasing costs combined with disappointing sales contributed to the chain’s financial struggles, said Barker, who joined the company two years ago as a merchandise buyer.

The Sugarcreek Plaza store’s closing date hasn’t been set, and will depend on how fast inventory is sold, Barker said. Some merchandise is en route to the store from other locations that have closed, he said.

During the final sale, Raven Rock Workwear will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (937) 848-2004.

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