Smith & Hawken to shut down; 100 jobs in Marin
By Business Journal Staff Report
NOVATO – Novato-based lawn-and-garden retail chain Smith & Hawken will shut down by the end of this year, according to its Ohio-based parent, Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.
Scotts Miracle-Gro Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Hagedorn said the company tried to find buyers for Smith & Hawken for the past 12 months but came to the conclusion that a shutdown was the “best option available.”
“Unfortunately, the combination of a weak economy and the lack of scale proved too great to overcome,” he said in a statement.
Smith & Hawken employs 700, including 100 in Marin. The company has 56 stores in 22 states, including a recently remodeled store in Mill Valley.
The company started in Mill Valley in 1982 and went through a couple of owners. Scotts Miracle-Gro acquired the company in 2004 for $58 million and $14 million in debt.
Scotts Miracle-Gro said it will take a one-time charge of $25 million in closing Smith & Hawken. Gordon Brothers Group has been brought in to wind down operations. Liquidation sales started July 9.
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