After 54 years of serving the community as a retailer and sponsor of countless sports teams throughout Dearborn, Adray Camera TV & Sound has announced they are closing their doors. According to a report that aired this afternoon on WXYZ-TV, the landmark Carlysle Street store is yet another victim of the grim economy. A receptionist we spoke with at the store Thursday confirmed that they would, indeed, be shutting all operations soon. No final date has been set but she said, "I think we have less than a month left."
It's sad news for those of us who consistently passed by the big box stores in favor of the expert knowledge and service that made Adray stand out for over a half century.
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This one is really hard to believe and I for one will be very sorry to see them go.
ReplyDeleteThis is like a punch in the gut. So goddarn sad.
ReplyDeleteNO!
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised and saddened when I saw that news item a bit ago.
ReplyDeleteJust one more reason to shop local and support Dearborn's small businesses...
Ugh. I think I must have played on a dozen different teams sponsored by Mr. Adray and his family. When I was a kid, just about every boy between 7 and 15 spent the entire summer wearing an Adray Appliance t-shirt. Theyll be missed.
ReplyDeleteThank you to the Adray family for all the years! You'll be missed!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a terribly sad day for Dearborn losing a store that was like 'family' to us for decades. Mike Adray and the Adray name were among the best when it came to their benovelent towards Dearborn and it's citizens.
ReplyDeleteI guess there is nothing we can do now to save Adray, but we'd be wise to read and practice what Dave Bowman says above because he said it best...
Yes, tis a sad day, but how could anyone not see the end nearing for Adray’s when they weren't able to pull off their move to Allen Park. It might've worked out for them if Lowe's didn't block a big segment of their appliance business. And honestly, I don't see where it helped with their business having an identity crisis for roughly a half decade either.
ReplyDeleteDearborn Press & Guide 20030611
INSIDE
Adray
By Alan Piñon, Press & Guide Newspapers
DEARBORN — Adray Photo, Appliance and Sound Center can now add gifts and collectibles to its repertoire of products.
Adray has eliminated its luggage and home appliance department to make way for a wide variety of new merchandise.
Boyds Bears and Colonial Candles are two of the most popular items on the shelves, said Tina Oaks, Adray sales representative.
In addition to the candles, stuffed animals, and the numerous other nick-knacks, Adray's new selection also includes Waterford crystal collectables, Howard Miller clocks, and Robert Rothschild foods and condiments.
"Its really an extension of our jewelry department, we have always carried some collectables," said George Bednar Jr., vice president and general manager of Adray.
A study launched last year by the store concluded that decreasing luggage sales and the high availability of house appliances signaled it was time for a change.
"Since Sept. 11, luggage sales across the entire country have been down," said Bednar. "House wares is becoming a commodity, in that you can buy many of the same house wares that we sold in a variety of other stores."
In order to offer something not so widely available at any other major retailer in Dearborn, the decision was made to add the gifts and collectables department, said Bednar.
The new department has received some mixed reviews from the customers.
"I don’t like it … sometimes I just don’t like change," said Judy Coulter.
Her husband, Bob, on the other hand, said he likes the new approach. "I think it's really nice, wide open and spacious."
The Coulters live in Dearborn and have been shopping at Adray since 1958.
http://pressandguide.com/stories/061103/D01BAJP.htm
Adray's moving to Allen Park
By Nancy Kaffer, Press & Guide Newspapers
PUBLISHED: November 17, 2004
DEARBORN -- A long-standing Dearborn institution is about to become an Allen Park institution.
In September 2005, Adray Appliances will move to the Independent Marketplace shopping center in Allen Park.
The new development, currently under construction at Outer Drive and Southfield on the site of the old Veterans' Hospital, is attracting many national and local big box retailers.
Vice president and general manager of Adray's George Bednar said the move wasn't prompted by any Dearborn deficiency.
"We think Dearborn's a great city and a great community. Unfortunately, the same opportunity didn't present itself in the boundaries of Dearborn that presented itself on other side of street," Bednar said.
"Quite frankly, for the past couple of years we have considered a move from this location," Bednar said. "Primarily because we're on a side street, we're not that convenient for most people."
Bednar said American shopping habits have changed in the 50 years Adray has been in business.
"People are drawn to centers where there are more opportunities to shop," Bednar said.
http://www.pressandguide.com/stories/111704/loc_20041117003.shtml
I guess the bottom line is that this should serve as an example for Dearborn to learn from. Either move with the times or you will eventually just fade away.
The market has spoken. Adray was 20% pricier than most other stores. They definately had some expert staff but thats not enough to make me overpay. Sorry but thats the way things work.
ReplyDeleteI talked to Debbie Adray a few years back and she stated she was about to close all the stores except Dearborn and she was letting a manager run what was left. Debbie was living in Birmingham and not working all that much in the business. Her dad spent most of his life building it into a very successful business. It might be possible that another big reason Adray's failed is because if an owner is away from the store, the store gets away from them.
ReplyDeleteThis is true, Hocus. And I do believe that LX makes a good point: it was clear to many that they were ready to bail on Dearborn so maybe some thought it was better to shop elsewhere. I don't agree, and I still am disappointed to lose a great Dearborn store.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame to see Adray's go. I believe my sister said it best: if only all the families whose kids were helped by Mike Adray and family had shopped there, the store probably would have survived. Sorry Deb O, but your comments are particularly harsh under the circumstances; many of us shopped there because the big box stores drove us nuts, and we were happy to pay a little extra for good service and to sy=upport a local business. Thanks for 54 years of great community support Adray family; you will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Adray Family
ReplyDeleteI was sad to get this news but after watching each of the other stores disappear and finally the stripping down of the Dearborn store it really didn't come as a surprise. They were the last nearby place with the wide selection of film you could find there and the only place I had my film processed or digitals printed. I will say their lack of knowledge on the product line of the camera system I have disappointed me and did send me elsewhere to make those purchases. However, I will miss them for my film, processing and printing needs.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Adray lost their way over the last 10+ years. I knew they had gone off the rails when they stocked pots and pans and jewelry, etc. They became more like AJ Folands than Adray Appliance and that's a shame, but that inconsistency led me to other retailers like ABC Warehouse. Sorry to hear the news nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI walked into Adray with a circular from a competitor (maybe ABC) and asked if they would match the price on a Digital Camera. They said they would not do that and their price was about $50 over the other guy. I'm all for keeping my business local but Adray didn't reward my loyalty and I havent been back in years.
ReplyDeleteI understand the nostalgia people have for Adray Appliance. What I don't understand are these local business owners who feel they don't have to compete with the big guys on price. I'm supposed to pay a premium on your product because you live in the area? Believe me I would rather go to a locally owned business, but I don't want to lose in the transaction. I resent the sense of entitlement some of these business owners have.
ReplyDeleteThe Dearborn City Hall driven development should get real. Obviously, by the comments here citizens don't want small neighborhood stores. Price trumps all. Therefore, the sole focus should be encouraging huge megastores like Walmart and similar places to come to Dearborn.
ReplyDeleteThere's that 'Can't Do' Dearborn spirit that always puts a spring in my step! Keep it up, Melvinborn! Or is it Deardale?
ReplyDeleteI hope the city doesn't let this empty location rot like La SHish is rotting on Michigan. What an eyesore.
ReplyDeleteI hear Burton Kaztman is in negotiations with the city to open a Hotel/Loft/Restaurant complex, along with a parking deck in the back at this location. This would include 20 upscale lofts renting at 4000 per month (not including utilities or monthly parking fees). There is anticipated to be 7 restaurants opening, all next to each other to serve the 20 upscale lofts.
ReplyDeleteTractor Alumni, come on now. You already have a Wal-Mart in Dearborn.
ReplyDeleteArab-America's Store
Wal-Mart stocks falafel, olives and Islamic greeting cards to attract Dearborn's ethnic shoppers.
Mar 10, 2008
Wal-Mart learned the community wasn't as concerned about seeing Arabic-language signs as they were with dealing with Arabic-speaking staff. So Bartell hired about 35 Arabic speakers, including Suehaila Amen, a local middle-school teacher who is providing ethnic-sensitivity training to the 650 employees. He also learned not to bother stocking traditional Muslim clothing, like the headscarf, or hijab, Amen wears. "The community told us, 'I would not feel comfortable coming to Wal-Mart to buy my hijab'," says assistant store manager Jordan Berke. "We're not here to overstep our bounds."
Despite the sensitive sell, local shopkeepers still worry about Wal-Mart. "There is a fear factor in the business community," says Osama Siblani, publisher of Dearborn's Arab American News. To allay those fears, Wal-Mart is making an extraordinary promise: it will not undercut the prices of the small local merchants (though it will still go after Kroger). The insular company even agreed to be scrutinized by a "community advisory board" made up of local Arab-American leaders to ensure it isn't harming the mom-and-pop shops. One example: Wal-Mart agreed to charge one dime more than local grocers for a six-pack of pita bread.
Arwa Hamad says her devotion to Dearborn's Muslim merchants doesn't simply rest on one thin dime. After all, when her husband goes to their Arab butcher, he buys in bulk. "It's hard to get half a lamb at Wal-Mart," she says.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/117835?GT1=43001
See, there is your violation of U.S. Anti-Trust Law in culture accommodation. In addition, remember that our beloved Mayor O'Reilly made special note of Suehaila Amen in his 2009 State of the City Address on page 10. I guess it's good to award recognition to those who perpetuate our lingual divide in America after all.
And I really can't think of a better way for our Dearborn community to express its gratitude towards a big box store that has extended vast amounts of accommodations to its customers other than having a stock boy employed for - six lengthy months - file a nationwide headline grabbing $12 million bias lawsuit.
It's a lofty position don'tcha know.
Muslim-American files bias suit against Wal-Mart
By Jeff Karoub
December 18, 2008
Kezy, who worked at the store from March to August, said he was the only Arab or Muslim to work in the stock room, where he said he endured jokes about terrorists and was threatened by another employee. The lawsuit says his hours were reduced, he was denied mandated break time and was "arbitrarily shuffled" between departments after complaining to managers.
"They start telling me stuff – 'We don't like you. We hate you all,"' said Kezy, who remains unemployed. "They want to beat me up. (One said), 'I want to punch you in the face."'
After that threat, Kezy said he filed a written report. He said a manager insisted on bringing in another manager to serve as a translator during a meeting, but Kezy said he has been in the U.S. for 28 years and speaks fluent English.
Kezy said he was told he had to apologize to one of his managers, but he refused because he had done nothing wrong. The lawsuit said he was suspended Aug. 11 and fired three days later without explanation.
The lawsuit says Kezy has suffered mental and emotional distress and seeks $12 million for compensatory and exemplary damages, lost wages, the value of fringe benefits and attorney fees.
Nabih Ayad, Kezy's attorney, said efforts by the store to reach out to the Arab and Muslim community do not appear to have helped his client.
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Michigan chapter, said a representative of his organization was among those that met with Wal-Mart officials before the store opened.
Walid said the store has done a great deal of marketing and public relations, but added "there's a difference between seeking to profit from the community" and having a "true appreciation for diversity as well as workers’ rights."
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/dec/18/news/chi-ap-mi-wal-mart-muslimla
Yep, the megastores will be beating a path to Dearborn because its so value added to do business here.
Per the Detroit News, 300,000 kids and adults were helped by Adray through the sponsorship of teams. Thanks so much to all those families who through loyal patronage could have kept Adray's in business. You folks should feel real proud. Galt should be really happy because you get what you pay for at the big box stores. Less service, cheaper price, no community participation, and no standing behind the product. Woo Hoo!
ReplyDeleteThis is nonsesnse what is written here. Adray is irreplaceable. Fools look at price only! There is value in service and expertise DON'T FORGET THAT! If you want a life of dealing with minimum wage know nothings go to Wal Mart and you will get wjat you pay for. That is all I can say.
ReplyDeleteEven if Adray doesn't resurface elsewhere Mike Adrays benovelence to Dearborn will still be around. It seems the Adray family will keep the Adray Company Foundation alive and well funded and will continue to
ReplyDeletesupport Dearborn civic groups, recreational organizations and charities.
In my opinion, Mike Adray and his family continue to be a blessing to Dearborn and let's hope that their store again resurfaces somewhere in the town they helped so much for over 50 years...
As usual, Michael Albano says it better than I can. Dearborn was lucky to have the Adray family and I wish them all the best luck.
ReplyDeleteYes, so lucky. Game over, thanks for playing.
ReplyDelete