Not a happy 50th in Lawrence

Bay Harbour Mall Best Buy closing

Posted

The 50th celebration to commemorate Best Buy’s first store will not be a happy one in Lawrence as it was announced on Aug. 17 that the company will be closing the store in the Bay Harbour Mall on Rockaway Turnpike on Nov. 12 and possibly laying off about 60 employees.

Based on the state filing that was posted on the New York State Department of Labor’s website on Wednesday, the 30,000-square-foot store, which opened in 2007, is closing due to economic reasons. Last year, Best Buy closed 13 of its big box stores and 17 of its smaller Best Buy Mobile stores.

Employees will be assisted in finding positions with other Best Buy stores. Those that do not get jobs will be offered a severance package, according to company officials.

In August of 1966, the first store opened in St. Paul, Minn., under the Sound of Music name. The retailer's name was changed to Best Buy in 1983.