Smithland Pet & Garden Centers to Close All Locations by 2025

News Summary

Smithland Pet & Garden Centers, a beloved retailer in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, has announced the closure of all 13 locations by May 2025. Established for 40 years, the company will begin store closing sales on May 6, 2025. The decision comes amid changing retail dynamics and will impact employees and the community, as the company expresses gratitude for its longstanding support. Customers are urged to utilize their remaining gift cards and take advantage of sales before the final shutdown.

Bethel, Connecticut – Smithland Pet & Garden Centers, a local staple in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts for 40 years, has announced it will close all 13 of its locations by May 2025. The decision marks the end of an era for the company, which has served customers through its diverse assortment of pet supplies, garden products, lawn care items, and outdoor living essentials.

The closures will not extend beyond the May 2025 cutoff, and while specific reasons for this decision were not disclosed, the company labeled the choice as “difficult but necessary.” The announcement has raised concerns about the impact on employees, though no figures have been provided regarding how many jobs will be affected by the store shutdowns.

The closures will take place across all of Smithland’s Connecticut locations, which include facilities in Bethel, Manchester, Middlefield, North Branford, North Haven, Old Saybrook, and Southington. Additionally, stores in Massachusetts, located in Agawam, Hadley, Ludlow, Northampton, Ware, and Westfield, will also be closing.

Store closing sales are set to begin on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and will be managed by Hilco Consumer-Retail. All sales during this period will be final, and purchases made prior to this date will be eligible for returns until May 20, 2025. Furthermore, Smithland’s popular Rewards program will cease on May 12, while gift cards will not be available for purchase starting May 5, though existing gift cards will continue to be accepted as a form of payment at the stores until the closures.

Founded in 1985, Smithland Pet & Garden Centers evolved from a previous brand known as myAgway and Dave’s Soda and Pet City. The company expanded its footprint over the years by acquiring Agway stores in Connecticut and another chain in Massachusetts, effectively cementing its role in the local pet and garden retail market.

In 2022, a significant transaction occurred when a Fairfield-based investor, Trio Fund I CT Portfolio LLC, purchased the Smithland store properties in Connecticut for approximately $10.5 million. This investment was seen as a pivotal moment for the company, though the latest closures suggest significant challenges ahead.

Throughout its history, Smithland has prided itself on fostering connections within the community and has expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support it has received over the years. The decision to close all locations reflects not only a strategic pivot for the company but also the changing dynamics within the retail landscape, especially for local businesses aiming to compete with larger chains and e-commerce giants.

Consumers are encouraged to take advantage of upcoming sales and utilize any remaining gift cards before the stores close their doors for good. The local community is bracing for the changes as Smithland prepares to wind down operations, marking the end of a longstanding legacy in the area.

In summary, the upcoming closure of Smithland Pet & Garden Centers will result in all 13 locations ceasing operations by May 2025, with the community and employees left to navigate the consequences of this significant retail change.

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