ANOTHER FAMILIAR FLORIDA BRAND NAME SOON GONE

The Scotty's home improvement/hardware chain is soon to be history.

Scotty's, based in Winter Haven and at one time was a major player in Florida's hardware/home improvement industry, has filed papers with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware asking permission for it to liquidate it's remaining merchandise and go out of business.

Owners had filed Chapter 11 reorganization in September, but have not found the necessary financing to remain in business.

Scotty's was founded 80 years ago in Winter Haven by farmer Evanda Hugh Sweet, and eventually grew to a chain of 164 stores in Florida and neighbouring states. It has suffered setbacks since a management team led by President Tom Morris purchased the company from Belgian-based GIB Group. They sold it's headquarters on Recker Highway to a Boca Raton developer who has since turned the facility into a business park including a call centre.

Morris and his team attempted to rebrand Scotty's in recent years by transforming itself into smaller hardware stores of 10,000 square feet or less in mainly smaller towns, leasing any remaining spaces into outlet malls while closing low performing stores. There are now 40 stores and outlet malls remaining. Almost all of the old Scotty's stores in Polk County are now leased out to churches; the only remaining store here is in Haines City.

Between bad business decisions and increased competition from Lowe's and Home Depot, which have entered the market in force over the past decade with much larger selections and lower prices, the demise of Scotty's was inevitible.

The going-out-of-business sale could begin as early as today.