One of the most long standing, historical businesses in Detroit Lakes is closing. The front windows of the Norby's Department Store is splashed with signs indicating they are now going out of business after 112 years serving Detroit Lakes. One of the family owners, Michael Norby, confirmed that following the annual Memorial Day sale on Monday, they closed the store until June 7th, during which time they will have a liquidation sale that will last until the inventory is sold out. In a letter to the editor sent to the Detroit Lakes Tribune, which will publish in its entirety Wednesday, Michael Norby said the decision was made among the family through much deliberation and soul searching.
"We are not the first family department store to do so and certainly will not be the last," wrote Norby. "All one has to do is look at the changing landscape of retail today. Customer shopping habits and patterns look nothing like they did just a few short years ago. It is simple economics."
In Sunday's Detroit Lakes Tribune, we'll talk to the Norby family about their tough decision to close and take a look back at the department store's deep roots in Detroit Lakes.
