ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Ruby Gordon customers were scrambling Monday morning to resolve issues with open orders. It was the first day of the company’s liquidation sale. The furniture chain announced its closure at the end of January.

It comes days after CEO Aaron Ruby announced that the store on West Henrietta Road in Henrietta would close for good by the end of the year. Ruby-Gordon filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in November. The third-generation store, which has been in business for nearly 90 years, says it filed for bankruptcy due to a nationwide slowdown in furniture sales.

The company is partnering with a nationally recognized liquidation specialist to help customers with their existing orders. Last week, News10NBC reported on several customers saying they had paid for furniture but hadn’t received it.

The company said it’s prioritizing customers. With open orders, customers can either wait for their furniture, or get a full refund.

Joe Polizzi arrived on Monday to check up on a couch order. News10NBC told you about Polizzi’s frustration after the business announced its closure. He said he’s been waiting weeks for the order.  

He finally decided to call his credit card company, and try for a refund. Polizzi said he used this as an opportunity to browse the floor, in case he could find a bargain.

“I don’t have a computer, I had to do all my legwork and I was coming down here looking in the warehouse, met a gentleman who works for him, and he would look on the computer and he would always say, ‘Joe it’s not ready, it’s not here, it’s not here,’” said Polizzi.

David Kramer, is also contacting his credit card company for a refund.

But not everyone who showed up on Monday, was a furniture customer.

William Zamiara works for a snow plowing company, and is contracted by Ruby-Gordon. He’s said he’s been waiting on payments for a while, and came to the store to get some answers. Zamiara said a representative told him to file a claim, and turn it over to the attorneys.

“I was assured 60 days ago, ‘You’ll be paid in full, we’re on it,’ and our receipts keep coming back, stating, ‘Thank you but no thank you, we don’t need you,’” he said.

“It’s been here forever,” said Kramer. “It’s unfortunate that after all these generations they lost the company.”

A source close with the liquidation process says Ruby-Gordon has a list of customers with open orders, and those folks will be contacted in the coming days. He said all sales are final, for delivery or immediate pickup.

The sale is only at the West Henrietta Road store and will run for 180 days, per the bankruptcy courts order.

The business says in a press release, “Despite the successful restocking and the support from the community, the combined pressures of the massive financial investment required, and a nationwide slowdown in furniture sales, led to unsustainable cash flow issues.”

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