Ashley Furniture franchise owner issues statement

The owner of three now-closed North State Ashley Furniture stores, including one in Yuba City, issued a statement today in which he blamed the corporate office for making it "impossible for us to continue to operate."

Franchise owner Robert Myers made his first public statements since his stores in Yuba City, Redding and Chico fell into trouble several months ago, issuing a press release through his Chico attorney. He said his intent was to save the businesses but that steps taken by Ashley Furniture Industries in Wisconsin prevented that. 

"They advised us that they were cutting off our credit line; were not going to fill our current orders; were seizing the existing floor inventory and planned to sell off the furniture, fixtures and equipment via a liquidation agent," Myers said in a press release issued through attorney Michael T. Shepherd's office.

"When AFI asked us to surrender our assets to them, we agreed to do so but only if AFI would provide the products that were not yet delivered to customers," Myers said. "I deeply regret that the closing of my business has greatly affected many loyal customers and valued employees."

Stephen Forsey, president of SPCI Cos., a Denver firm that is conducting Ashley's liquidation sales, said Wednesday that all customers will receive previously ordered merchandise and that 75 percent had already been delivered. Refunds are not being made available.

Myers and his wife, Vera, are being investigated by Butte and Shasta district attorneys over consumer complaints. Myers said he's not running away from any problems and continues to live in Chico.

"Over the last few months I have been accused of many things which have been reported in the press," Myers said in his statement. "The facts are: I was trying to keep the stores open to provide for my employees and their families, my creditors and my own family as well, but I simply could not generate sufficient sales in this very bad economy to remain in business."