Orchard Supply Hardware store prepares to close

The Orchard Supply Hardware store in Burbank is clearing things out before closing down, with the hardware store slashing prices in a final clearance sale.

The OSH, located on Victory Boulevard, is one of 17 in the state being closed in the wake of the San Jose-based chain’s entrance into Chapter 11 bankruptcy this summer and its subsequent acquisition by competitor Lowe’s Companies Inc.

Until it closes, all merchandise in the store is being sold at 25% to 70% off.

Leigh Parrish, an OSH spokeswoman, said because stores will close based on how quickly clearance merchandise sells, the company couldn’t set official closing dates.

“They may move merchandise around [to different] stores, so some stores in that group may close sooner than others,” she said.

The clearance sale is being managed by an outside company, Great American Group, which specializes in store closure sales.

Joy Forbes, Burbank’s community development director, said Friday that the city is starting to reach out to see what the property owner wants to do in the wake of the store closure.

“I think we’re keeping all options open,” she said. “It’s part of a larger corner, so of course we have grandiose dreams of maybe a residential project with commercial right on Victory or Chandler, or something like that.”

Paul Hartman, who on Wednesday morning was pushing several heaping bags of mulch up to the register at the store, said he had come specifically for the clearance deals.

He said he was sad to see the store close because he prefers to shop at OSH rather than larger stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.

“I work in the film industry, and I was here to get hardware for a job just yesterday,” he said. “It’s easier, it’s a little smaller, and parking and traffic’s not as bad as at the Empire Center; it’s just not as crowded,” Hartman said. “Guess I’ll just have to go to Pasadena now.”

The OSH in Pasadena, as well as the one in La Crescenta on Foothill Boulevard, will remain open, company officials said.

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