Dunham’s on Upper Valley Pike announces closure to customers

The store first opened on Upper Valley Pike in 2011.

Shoppers like Jeremiah Castle said they were surprised at the sudden closure. He said he’s a regular customer at Dunham’s because he can get supplies to make his homemade venison jerky.

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“This is the last of the bit that they have here in Springfield so it’s going to be an item that I have to purchase on Amazon,” he said. “I’m kinda here when things are on sale and try to purchase things at a better price.”

Castle said he looks at it as a big hit for an already struggling area of town.

“It’s been a long time since anything has kind of made it over here on this end of town, and I’m sure before you know it this entire mini strip will be shut down except for Ollie’s and Rural King,” Castle said.

A string of other area closures cut deep for officials who want to bring business back to the Upper Valley corridor.

The Sears in the Upper Valley Mall was one of the last stores open in the Miami Valley until it also announced its closure last month. The store is scheduled to close in March.

“It’s very painful for the community,” said German Twp. Planning and Zoning Director, George Degenhart. “This is a continuing story that we’ve heard over and over again.”

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But Degenhart said he’s hopeful the area, including the mall, can make a comeback. He said sometimes good things just take time.

The Clark County Land Bank currently owns the Upper Valley Mall and has been working for several months with potential developers to make a transfer of the property.

“There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and we’re very pleased and thankful that people are doing that. That is going on,” he said.

The leasing agent of the building could not be reached for additional comment on how the store’s lease played a role in its closure.

According to the email from Dunham’s Sporting Goods, customers can receive 25 percent off all display items and clearance items with some exclusions until the closing date.