Levinsky's to Close Portland Store; 5-week Close-Out Sale at Congress Street Location Starts Tomorrow

Windham Mall Store to Stay Open

PORTLAND, Maine (April 16, 2003) - Levinsky's, one of Portland's best-known retail institutions, announced today it will close its Portland store in late May due to the economic slowdown and sluggish retail sales.

The store will hold a five-week close out sale beginning Thursday, April 17, that will mark down its clothing, outerwear, shoes and other products by 30 to 70 percent. The store will have extended hours for the closing sale and will be open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

[NOTE to Media: Owner Eric Levinsky is available for interviews today and throughout the closing sale by calling him at 774-3605 to arrange.]

The company will keep its second store in the Windham Mall open and also expand in the areas of online merchandising, industrial and municipal accounts, and its line of Dockers, Levi's, Lee Jeans and its full line Boy Scout department.

About 18 employees at the Portland store have been informed of the closing and have been offered an incentive package to stay through the five-week closing sale.

The Portland store, which extends a full city block front to back, is located at 516 Congress and at 85 Free Street.

"We have had a proud, 84-year history in Portland, but the reality is we have not been profitable at the Portland store, especially in this economy," said owner Eric Levinsky, the grandson of the store's founder, Jacob Levinsky, who opened his first store in 1919.

Levinsky's, which is known for selling brand names at a discount - not seconds as in the outlet stores - carries brands such as Levi's, Lee, Tommy Hilfiger, Fubu, White Sierra, L.E.I., Mudd, Converse and other national and designer labels.

Six years ago, the store moved from its longtime location at 278 Congress Street after a reorganization.

"We welcome all of our loyal customers to the Levinsky's in the Windham Mall, located off Route 302 in North Windham," Levinsky said. "It is with mixed emotions that we are closing the Portland store. We are sad to leave but also look forward to focusing on our Windham store."

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