Doneckers closing?

Revamping in this day and age makes sense...sometimes major revamping is necessary for survival...i hope doneckers can make a comeback...it would be very good for the town's image and for economic optimism.

glad to hear the joint will be closing. they have scammed $$$ from the community for long enough. Ask mayor mowen about all of the tax "breaks" donecker has been afforded. It makes me sick

I think the store was always way over priced. People in this day and age cant spend money on over priced items, just because of the names. I really hope it shutts it doors and another buisness goes in that the Ephrata comm. can enjoy...... AND AFFORD

pa farmer wrote:

I think the store was always way over priced. People in this day and age cant spend money on over priced items, just because of the names. I really hope it shutts it doors and another buisness goes in that the Ephrata comm. can enjoy...... AND AFFORD

The local community is not the market for them. They have always drawn on the best customer not the walmart/target customer. It is tough to be a an independant department store with a small back office.

The Doneckers store was known for quality goods; and quality goods attract out-of-town customers as well as locals that support local restaurants and other local Ephrata businesses. In addition, the Doneckers's stores and restaurants provided an income for years to its many employees. In this day and age when furniture prices at competing stores are just as high--even though the quality of competitors' merchandise (not solid wood, but shoddy veneer products produced outside the country) do not begin to match the quality of the furniture sold at Doneckers--the public loses by losing a supplier of quality goods. Having several empty buildings in Ephrata cannot be good for the economy of the town either. I am sorry to see an institution that has served the community for many decades close down. The shopping convenience it offered to local consumers will be missed as well. Let's hope other businesses in the community can continue to sustain themselves in this horrific business economy--created by the nation's staggering, out-of-control debt and the low valuation of the dollar. Thank you, Washington. Stores closing their doors is becoming epidemic across the nation, especially in small-town U.S.A. A sad comment on our changing economy.

The closing of Doneckers would be a great loss to not just the obvious people - the employees and the owners. A store like Doneckers is a key brick in a community like Ephrata. It is spiteful and short sited to wish a business to close (PA Farmer and Harvey Levine) just becaue it was not to your tastes. When a well established and respected store like Doneckers closes what does it say about our community and our economy? You are being naive if you think that something like Doneckers can quickly be replaced. Sadly, once they are gone nothing will ever be the same. Success breeds success and businesses breed more businesses. When you lose Doneckers you lose an anchor for the community.

I grew up in Lancaster but currently live in St Louis, MO. This news is an absolute shock to me. My mother grew up in Ephrata and my aunt, uncle, and cousins still live there. Doneckers is a staple in Ephrata. When I visit PA to see family there is not a time that I do not go to Donecker's. Before moving to St Louis, I lived in Key West, FL. The CEO of the only hospital in Key West would call Doneckers and order dresses for her special occasions. She always trusted the sales team at Doneckers and they never disappointed. Dresses were paid and sent to her without even laying eyes on the dress. They were always beautiful. My husband would even pick out suits when we visited and after they were tailored they were mailed to Key West for us. You will NEVER find a better tailor outside of Donecker's.
To the people that have posted comments about prices at Doneckers, I can see that you don't bargain shop like I do. I have only purchased 2 ties out of Donecker's in 10 years that were regularly priced. Tailoring at the men's store was always free. I've even purchased formal dresses for my daughter for $15.00 on clearance. On top of deals that I found, quality was never compromised.
Donecker's, my entire family will miss you greatly.

It is a sad situation for the town of Ephrata. I had been dealing with the ballroom for a wedding in planning during the past 1 year time period. I must say it was the most horrible experience of my life. Once word was given to bride and mother of the bride of the situation, I must say I placed all my faith in Mr. Donnecker to hold to his work by assuring this wedding would go off without a hitch. After 6 - 7 weeks of dealing with a sneak, liar, untrusting man, What will be will be!!!!!!!!!!

We usually came to Doneckers to stay at the Bed and Breakfast to celebrate our anniversary. We enjoyed visiting and walking through the town of Ephrata. The shopkeepers and people were really nice. It's sad to hear of this news. We were planning on coming up again this year, but the news and rumors being reported are just not promising and sometimes behind almost every rumor is a degree of truth. Hope they can turn it aroung but if not, it seems that they are going down the path like other businesses nationally.

My wife and I make a decent income and dress nice. However 2 times I entered the men's shop I could not get waited on. I was dressed in a nice polo shirt and khakis. The 3rd time I wore a Tommy Bahama shirt, and then I had the salesman come up to me. That is the last time I ever entered the store.
My father-in-law who was required to wear suits for his profession had a similiar experience. He went to TMB and never set foot in Doneckers again.
I will remember Donneckers as a mens shop with arrogant salesmen.

As of 8/7/08, I heard about the closing of the Donecker's clothing store. I felt a sense of nostalgia, and a bit of sadness over the end of an era. I have fond memories of shopping there with my mother (who is now deceased). It was her favorite place to shop, and every special occasion dress was bought there; including the dresses that she and my sisters wore to my wedding. My 2 sisters and my mother would have a
girls day shopping there, and also have lunch at the restaurant. My husband and I also stayed in the Inns for our wedding anniversary. I guess Doneckers is one more casualty of our economy.