Emma Anchor Closing

Ryan’s Calling It Quits After Decades in City

Max Ryan, left, turns to assist customers Friday at the register of his store, Ryan’s, at the corner Emma Avenue and Spring Street in Springdale. The retailer is retiring and closing the store by September after selling off the inventory.
Max Ryan, left, turns to assist customers Friday at the register of his store, Ryan’s, at the corner Emma Avenue and Spring Street in Springdale. The retailer is retiring and closing the store by September after selling off the inventory.

SPRINGDALE — Lines of people with arms full of clothes waited patiently to pay at Ryan’s Clothing store Friday. Word had spread quickly the longtime Emma Avenue business is closing.

“It’s a shame. The store will be surely missed,” said Susan Thompson of Huntsville. She has shopped at Ryan’s for nearly 40 years. “It’s such a friendly business. They are like family.”

Max Ryan, the owner, said he decided to close after working in the store for more than 40 years. The business stayed open after numerous competitors closed or moved. It will remain open until the inventory and fixtures are sold, probably until September, he said.

“We were a dinosaur that managed to stay out of the tar pit,” Ryan said. “It’s been a good run.”

At A Glance

Ryan’s History

In 1941, Troy Ryan opened Rowland’s clothing store as manager. Troy continued as manager until 1966, except for a few years when he served in the military during World War II. He bought out a partner in 1966 and changed the name to Ryan’s. Troy’s sons, Max and Bob, worked in the store. The business expanded three times, once taking over an old Ben Franklin’s store after Sam Walton moved it away from downtown. Troy Ryan died in March.

Source: Max Ryan and Shiloh Museum

Max Ryan said he will turn 65 on Sunday. He said the store isn't closing because of a lack of business. No other member of the family wanted to run the store, he said.

The 15,000-square-foot store stretches east along Emma Avenue from Spring Street. Ryan’s stocks everything from baby clothes to men’s wear. The store was a mainstay when Emma Avenue was the busiest street in Springdale.

“Ryan’s is a classic example of a business from the time when the downtown was the heart of a city,” said Susan Young, outreach coordinator for Shiloh Museum.

Thompson was waiting Friday afternoon to pay for a stack of men’s jeans. She used to buy clothes at Ryan’s for her children when they were young.

“They always have such a good assortment and good prices,” she said. “You could buy just about anything you wanted here.”

Judy Stephen of Fayetteville said she has shopped at Ryan’s for almost 15 years.

“I always felt like I got good bargains on good quality clothes,” she said.

Stephen said she didn’t get to the store that often and probably won’t be traveling to Springdale to shop anymore.

Thompson said Ryan’s is the reason she drives from Huntsville to shop.

Amber Roberts of Springdale, shopping for baby clothes, made her first stop at Ryan’s on Friday to check out the going-out-of-business sale. She said her mother has shopped at the retailer for years.

“It’s so sad to see the store closing. It will hurt downtown,” she said.

The City Council, on Tuesday, approved a downtown revitalization master plan. The plan was financed by Downtown Springdale Alliance, a group working to bring people and business back to the area.

“Ryan’s was one of our anchors,” said Kent Hirsch, president of the alliance. The closing “shouldn’t have an effect on our plan but I hate to see it go.”

Thirteen people worked at the store at one time but only six are employed now, Ryan said.

“People are used to self-serve,” Ryan said. “Years ago, we would go get the size someone needed from the back. Now they take their size from the stack. It’s what they want.”

Claudia Mobley, executive director of the Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of Arkansas, said Ryan’s closing could help Springdale create a more vibrant downtown.

“The market has changed, Springdale has changed,” she said. “This is an opportunity for Springdale to attract more retailers that are viable and can attract more people downtown.”

Mobley said independent retailers with fewer than five employees are growing in today’s market.

“These mom-and-pops are innovative and can change on a dime,” she said.

It’s sad to see one of the city’s retail pioneers close, said Perry Webb, chief executive officer for the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. It will be strange to see any other sign on that corner, he said, a prime spot when the Razorback Greenway goes through downtown.

“Ryan’s won’t be vacant long,” Webb said.

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