Not surprising. Even under the best management, it's hard to pay expenses when no one can plant anything.

They said on the news they might close L-ville and conyers locations and their biggest creditor, Monrovia, is owed $717k.
The overall debt was $5-mil-something.

I guess nobody is too interested in pikes or whether they close or stay open.

I am interested, and very sad if they close as I really like Pike. I would rather give them my $$ than the big orange or blue box. Their prices are higher but I've always found the staff really pleasant and knowledgeable (Atlanta Toco Hills store) and so I have bought a lot there (helps that i get 10% off for being an ATL Bot Garden member).
I just didnt post before b/c I didnt have anything to say other than I hope they don't close.

The bankrupcy filing was a Chapter 11, otherwise known as a reorganization filing. Same as Delta Airlines did. Business as usual, but somewhat restricted. They will have to present a plan to the Federal Court to cut expenses and pay their creditors, which will probably receive only a few cents for each dollar owed to them.

I went to the L'ville Pikes today, and they're definitely closing. They said Dec. 31 would be their last day. I was surprised by how wiped out they are. Perhaps they stopped getting in new merchandise well before the bankruptcy announcement. They do still have a handful of perennials and ground covers, a decent amount of shrubs and trees. Plants are 25% off, and other stuff (mulch, compost, etc.) 10%. They are carrying Christmas trees aplenty.

I'm very sad to see them go.

I am very sorry that they have had problems enough to warrant these steps. What a very tough year it's been for them.

A new Pike's store was featured in the development plan for a new shopping center near me (Hickory Flat). I imagine they will pull out of that site now.

I hope these measures will allow them to stay a part of the area for years to come.

I love Pikes. They are close by, and I visit then frequently.
The quality of the plants are higher then big box stores, and I know most people by their names. There is always someone available if I need an advice on particular plant or product, and I sure hope they stay in business.
Got some peonies at 50% off today there.
This drought is tough on everyone...
I wonder if they will have new plants/inventory in spring, since they still owe so much to suppliers.

I was wondering about their suppliers too, Natalie. Monrovia, for one, may not want to do business with them any more in the future, I don't really know how that works. I always hate to hear that any nursery is closing. The sad thing for lots of us gardeners is that we have little desire to go and buy ANYTHING even at discounted prices, since the water situation is what it is right now.

That is the truth. I have stuff that I can't even plant because the ground is too hard to dig. I'm waiting for a rain followed by a cloudy day with mild temperatures. Something that used to come around about once a week. I have to water it whether I plant it or not but I can't dig in concrete.

As for monrovia, I'm sure they will do business with pike but might adjust their terms or not extend as much credit.

Most big cities seem to have a local chain of garden centers. If Pike were to go out of business then we would be without that.

The one in Snellville has already closed. Does anyone know if the Lawrenceville Pikes has the real garland? I used to get it every year at the Snellville Pikes, so I'm going to have to search for it this year.

Pike's is not alone in their dire financial straits. Some small nurseries are closing their doors or gates, whichever the case may be. Did anyone read the AJC article by Elizabeth Lee last Wed. (11/14)? (attached) I think it pretty well sums up the disarray in the nursery/landscape market in N GA.
Hard times are upon us, sad to say. Once the total outdoor watering ban was announced and predictions that the lakes were being drained to dangerously low levels, the plant nursery business went down the drain (no pun intended)!
Rb

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Centers/ Growers feel pressure.......

Yes, I read that. Ladyslipper is just down the street from me. I certainly didn't realize they had been in business for only 11 years. I moved here in 1988 and I thought they'd always been there. Mann's Greenhouse down the road also closed this year, but not for the same reason. Land prices have gotten so lucrative here that development was on all sides. They decided they had had enough and announced they were closing. I'm sure they are thinking that they made a good decision for several reasons now.

Efam, I think they had garland at the L'ville Pikes. I wasn't specifically looking for it, so I can't say I'm positive. They do seem to be carrying much of their usual Christmas supply. You can always give them a buzz to be certain.

They did have garland at the Lawrenceville Pikes location, but they said that they will be closing on 12/31. This worries me...

I hope that not all of the Pikes locations will close.

By the way, they had a great selection of Christmas trees. If you haven't bought one, I would highly recommend getting one from there.

If we get a Christmas tree this year we plan to buy it at Pike's. Maybe it will help them out a little.

I always thought pike had too many stores.
This town is extremely sprawing but even "family-owned" chain garden centers that are prominent in other large metros only have maybe 3 locations.
Pike has 17! Just in the atlanta area.

To make matters worse, if you ask me (not an actual fact) their customer base would appear to be... not growing that fast, as more and more people move into zero lot line, cluster homes, town homes etc and don't have any where to grow anything. Their product offering hasn't been adjusted to offer these customers much, if anything, for the smaller lots.

They should be going after these customers with free workshops and plants to solve problems they have with the small garden. And also appealing to a younger crowd.

That's too bad. I really like Pike's. Knowledgeable & helpful staff. Good plants. Always have what I am looking for. Their accessories prices are excessives but gotta make money somewhere. They give plants to our Elementary school with receipts from what us parents spend at Pike's.