by Baily Basham, Messenger Staff Writer

After nearly 65 years in business, Hammer’s Department Store on the square in Winchester is closing.

Hammer’s is a chain of family-owned department stores with locations in Ft. Payne and Scottsboro, Ala., and in Winchester, Clinton, Wartburg, South Pittsburg and Sevierville, Tenn.

The Winchester store has been under Earl Hammer’s ownership since 1955. Joshua Hammer, spokesperson for the store, said the store is closing to allow his dad to enjoy his retirement.

Other store locations will remain open.

Joshua Hammer said there is no specific timeline for when the family will turn over the closed sign on the doors for the last time, but discounts will continue.

“Discounts will be getting deeper every week as we try to get dad’s money out of it and get it back to him,” he said. “When we get to that point, we’ll close the doors and be done.”

In 1942, A. B. Hammer Sr. opened the first store in Guntersville, Ala. In 1947, the second store was opened in Haleyville, Ala. One year later, the Scottsboro location was opened. Fast forward to 1955, Winchester’s landmark location opened its doors on the square. Today, all remaining locations are operated by second, third and fourth generations of the Hammer family.

“We appreciate all the customers we’ve had over the years. We’ve really come to love everyone,” Hammer said. “We appreciate this community and all the opportunities they have made possible. We are still here even after the store is gone.”

Visit Hammer’s Facebook page to keep up-to-date on weekly ads and special sales.