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Winn Home and Beauty at 299 Court Street, the large variety store that has been a fixture in the neighborhood for many years, is currently running a storewide clearance sale. This morning, when I stopped by to take the photos above, I asked an employee if the store was closing. The young man told me that "yes", Winn was going to close its doors in the next few weeks and will stay closed for about 6 to 9 months. It "may re-open", he added.
The reason for the closing, accordion to the employee, is that the building's owner is adding apartments on top of the building. During the construction period, Winn will be closed for business.
Will you miss the place? Personally, in the past two or three years, I found their prices outrageous. I miss the
old Winn, when it was still a real discount store.
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18 comments:
Nooooo! What a bummer. We rely on Winn frequently. I have no idea how they managed to stock so many things in that store. Here's hoping they actually reopen!
I'll miss it when it's closed and certainly if it's closed for good. It's as close to a five and dime as we get, and I've never had a problem with their prices when it's something I need right away and can't find within walking distance. I've personally found all the staff there as friendly and helpful as I'd expect; compared to the Rite Aid, which I reckon is their closest competition, it's like night and day.
I agree that Winn's prices were out of line, but it was a convenient place to pick up certain houseware necessities in a pinch. As to their reopening in the future, I doubt it. The building owner will upgrade the space and increase the rent so that only another restaurant or some other useless or redundant business can afford it.
What's going on with the bars formerly known as Ceol and Char 4?
Word is Ceol is going to become a sandwich shop from the folks that run Union Hall/Bell House. No word on Char 4.
It was just a matter of time..what a shame..I do hope it reopens, more than likely it wont...we need another bar or another Organic food store..OR another bank..The clothing stores that do open are so high priced that they are opened for 6 months and they close.Sad!!!
Well. I knew something was going on. In any event I hope the employees find other jobs. They are nice. BUT the manager of this new Winn wasn't following the labor laws. No lunch breaks for employees.
It's been a nice go to place for odds and ends. I also liked it before. We could use another real 99c store again in this area.
Who needs nail salons?
Umm. Joking there 2:57? About wanting another bar and bank?!
I knew it! The countdown started when the old "Discount" turned into --whatever it is now. We always called it The Everything Store, but it has deserved that title less and less, and we've used it less and less. It was absolute magic before, and still had/has its uses, though the stock's been winding down and, as you say, the prices spiralling up for months. Still, despite its wrong turn, we still adore Winn and will miss it DESPERATELY. I wish it could reopen, and in the old style. So depressing that banks are the only entities that can afford CG rents, and also the reason for that miserable state of affairs.
Sure the prices are high, but I'd rather pay a bit extra to shop locally and keep some semblance of flavor in the neighborhood than give money to a chain store with rude or inattentive employees. First the Clinton Apothecary, now this? I'll have to go very far out of my way to find a local substitute for Winn, and it likely won't all be found in one store.
They put a name up on the old Ceol space yesterday. It's going to be called Fawkner. It looks like there is still a bar, which they have moved to the opposite side of the space and they've really upgraded the floor. It doesn't look like it is going to be a sandwich shop.
less parking here we come
I am really sad they are closing. We need a 99 cent store or something like WINN. I did not find their prices that high…higher certainly than the earlier version still ok. But it was so convenient for so many things. Thanks for running this. I will get over there and see what I need before it closes.
Fawkner is going to be a bar - here is their Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/FawknerNY
They have always be the store of last resort if you desperately needed some odd houseware. they will not be missed too badly.
Been in this neighborhood for nearly 20 years. Guess that makes me an 'old timer' who misses the charm and authentic community. Winn Discount was a neighborhood five and dime, that yes had everything from odds to ends. Sadly, our community is rapidly turning into a boring, vapid neighborhood, stripped of originality. Good bye Winns and the mechanical horse(?) my daughter and countless other children enjoyed.
Having lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years, I have always tried to avoid Winn Discount unless I was desperate for something that could not be found within a few blocks. When Rennaissance Pharmacy was open on Court Street right next to Caputo's Bakery, their prices for toiletries and everything else were 25% lower than Winn. And that was the "old" Winn.
You coudld go across the street at the bodega on the corner of Degraw and Court and buy batteries for almost half of what Winn charges. Yes, cheaper at a bodega?
So goodbye Winn. You will not be missed except for the kids who liked to ride on the outdoor mechanical animals. You should leave them there as a thank you to the community for having to put up with your outrageous prices all these years!
Rick Anderson
I love Winn! Great neighborhood store that *feels* neighborhoody. It had everything, amazingly, and there were certain items that I could only find there. I'd stock up at Winn and be set for about 6 months. A nice, eclectic mix of things and the folks who worked there knew where everything was! I really, really hope they reopen. Come on back, Winn!
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