Washoe Arc sets closure of Pier 1 franchise in Reno

Washoe Arc, which operated the Pier 1 store at Smithridge Plaza as a franchisee for 20 years, will divest its investment July 1, and the store will close.

The store was one of three remaining franchisees of Fort Worth-based Pier 1 the others are in Kentucky and Arizona and all three franchise agreements come to an end in June.

The nonprofit has known for 18 years that it someday would lose the franchise as the result of a settlement of a 1980s legal case in which Pier 1 sought to convert entirely to company-owned stores.

Washoe Arc was satisfied with profits from the store, says Jim Meyer, president and chief executive officer of the non-profit agency serving people with disabilities.

"We considered renting it to operate as an independent furniture store," says Meyer, "but decided that would prove difficult without a national brand name."

Washoe Arc operates four thrift stores locally, staffed by people with disabilities. But they do not staff Pier 1, a for-profit subsidiary.

Meyers says Arc hopes that business at its other company, National Data Guard, will offset the loss of revenue from Pier 1.

A Pier 1 spokeswoman said the company does not own the property and has nothing to do with the future use of the location. A company-owned store operates at Carson City.

Washoe Arc, formerly known as WARC: Washoe Association for Retarded Citizens, incorporated in 1953.