News 12 at 6, September 18, 2008

AUGUSTA -- For the second time this week, News 12 breaks the story of an Augusta business shutting its doors and laying off employees. And now customers of Ashley Furniture waiting on thousands of dollars of orders are wondering if they'll ever get them.

The Ashley Store at Augusta Exchange and the Ashley Outlet Store on Windsor Spring are both closed. And many walked away shocked and stunned when they saw the store was closed.

Ashley Furniture has been a fixture in the Augusta Exchange for years. But now it may be no more.
The doors are locked, the lights are out and customers are angry.

"We don't know what we're gonna do now. Are we gonna get our furniture or what?" Diane Parrish told us.

We spotted several people stopping by to shop or pick something up, only to walk away frustrated. They only found a notice with a brief explanation and a phone number to call for assistance.

"It says it's going through an ownership transfer." one person said.

It literally happened overnight. Several former employees told 12 On Your Side they were all laid off Wednesday night and the store was closed Thursday. They say they're hoping if new owners come in, they'll get their jobs back.

"Chest of drawers, nightstand, a sectional couch and a chaise lounge." That's what Brandy Hyatt says she hasn't received yet.

Brandy and her husband Chad have been waiting on their nearly $3,000 worth of furniture for months already and now they don't know if they'll ever see it.

"It's been 8 weeks and we still haven't gotten it yet." she told us.

It's the same story at the Ashley Furniture Outlet. We came to check it out and when we arrived, the doors were locked there too.

We also found found another Ashley Store that closed in Virginia today. From what 12 On Your Side has found, these Ashley stores are all owned by the same franchise owner who is selling them.
But when that will happen, no one really knows.

Ashley's Corporate office says it will attempt to fill any deliveries it can. The number posted on the doors for you to call with question is 866 307 3038.