OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Valu Home Center on Route 60 will be closed in October.

Valu Home Center is closing stores in Lakewood, Fredonia and Batavia.

Michael Ervolina Jr., Valu Home Center president and CEO, said in a letter that the three stores are under-performing, low-volume stores that are struggling in the wake of changing consumer habits, the rise of e-commerce, supply chain issues, labor availability, wage increases, increased interest rates and inflation.

“The pandemic added further pressure because it has not only affected our business, but also the communities in which Valu operates,” Ervolina wrote. “Unfortunately, not all of our markets remain strong. For Valu to remain a healthy and financially stable business, we are making the difficult and emotional decision to close three under-performing, low-volume stores.”

Liquidation sales in the Lakewood and Dunkirk stores will begin Sept. 9 and are expected to last four weeks. All management and associates will be offered positions at other Valu Home Center locations.

In 2021, Valu Home Center closed its store in Geneva, N.Y., preceded by the closure of three stores in Olean and Painted Post, both in New York, and its store in Warren, Pa. The chain did open a new store in Bath earlier in 2022, according to Ervolina’s letter, and is exploring additional locations in strong markets.

“We do not make these decisions lightly, as it comes after much financial analysis and consideration,” Ervolina wrote. “In a family business that promotes a caring culture, our decision is especially difficult since it impacts our loyal and dedicated team in the markets that we have operated in for many years. However we are convinced that closing these stores will allow us to focus on our most proficable stores and improve the overall strength of our company.”

Valu Home Centers was founded in 1968 in Buffalo by the Arena, Ervolina, and Amico families.