EDITORIAL: Everything Under the Sun for Monday, Nov. 17, 2008

Nov 17, 2008 (The Evening Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- SHLD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- It certainly seems strange, given these tough economic times of trying to stretch every dollar, that any business that offers products at a discount would close.

But that's what happened recently with Diamond Cinema, and seems certain to happen soon to Value City department store. Both are in the same shopping center, Delco Plaza on Carlisle Street in Hanover.

Diamond Cinema, which offered tickets for shows at a discount, shut its doors abruptly earlier this month.

Owner Bob Wienholt cited the shortage of movies caused by the writer and director strikes last year.

"The theater business isn't the greatest business right now," Wienholt said. "Everyone is struggling."

He said he lost more than $100,000 since opening the Hanover theater in 2007.

He also shut a theater in York in September.

Meanwhile, the Value City chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court's Southern District of New York. Management at the Han-over store won't comment on the record and has referred all questions back to corporate spokespeople.

The folks at Acquisition Co., which owns 81 percent of the department store chain, still insist the store is "operating as usual."

But despite such claims, the local store has been holding massive liquidation sales -- the kind stores hold when they're trying to get rid of their inventory and go out of business.

What's next? The dollar stores?

We've seen tough economic times and stiff competition hit Hills, Ames and Kmart over the years. But we hope this latest "trend" of discount merchants falling on hard times are just isolated cases, especially since so many consumers these days are trying to stretch each dollar as far as it will go.

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It wasn't so long ago that the group that runs the Adams County homeless shelter wasn't sure where they'd move their facilities -- or even if they'd move them.

The building that houses the Stratton Street shelter was purchased along with others as part of a planned revitalization project in downtown Gettysburg. And officials with South Central Community Action Programs weren't told much at the outset, other than that they'd be moving out.

As one might have speculated, everything turned out OK. A new home for the shelter was located just across the street at the former Columbia Gas property and the new building, for which ground was broken last week, will be bigger and will better meet the community's needs by containing room for 10 more beds.

As state Rep. Dan Moul, R-Conewago Township, said at the groundbreaking, "This is the kind of business where you're really not looking for more business. Unfortunately, we have more business that we can handle."

We agree, but in our eyes, it's comforting to see that a facility that can handle demand is moving forward, especially considering its future once was uncertain.

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