KITTANNING — A landmark downtown Kittanning business, Moss Bootery, and its companion entity, Joe's Athletics and Apparel, will soon fade into history.
Arnie Moss, owner of the store located at 124 Market St., said he is holding a "liquidation sale" to exhaust his inventory of shoes, boots and clothing.
Moss said the business was started in 1934 by his parents, Joseph and Esther Moss.
"My parents opened the doors for business on Sept. 30, 1934," Moss said. "In 1945 my father also opened what was then called Joe's Army and Navy Store in the same building. He dealt in a lot of military surplus items. In 1999, I changed the name from Joe's Army and navy to Joe's Athletics and Apparel to better reflect the type of merchandise we carry. We still have many local people who buy here and will make a check out to Joe's Army and Navy. Old habits die hard, I guess."
Moss said he cannot legally hold a "Going Out of Business Sale" until the proper paper work is filed with Kittanning Borough and the state.
"You have to have a special permit to hold a going out of business sale," Moss said. "It's a 12-step process, and part of the process is submitting the necessary paperwork to Kittanning Borough. They have 15 days to issue me the necessary permit. I must also submit a bond to the state. When you are in business and you say you are going out of business — you must really be going out of business.
Moss cited a business decline as one reason for closing the 68-year-old operation.
"There is a noticeable decline in business," he said. I have decided it is also time for a career change. I have been with the business here full time since June 1, 1969 — almost 34 years. it's time for a change."
Moss declined to comment on his personal future career plans other than to say the decision to close the store and go into another line of work wasn't an easy one. Moss added that he is offering quality merchandise for 40 to 50 percent off current retail prices.
