The Avon location of the popular bargain designer fashion chain

The T.J. Maxx parking lot in Avon was nearly filled Thursday as shoppers took advantage of closing sales.

The Avon location of the popular bargain designer fashion chain is closing for good on July 14 at 6 p.m., according to signs on the store windows.

"We are always assessing and reviewing our real estate strategies and our decision to close the Avon store reflects that thinking," Sherry Lang, senior vice president of global communications at the TJX Companies, Inc., wrote in an email to Patch.

The Avon store employees have been offered "the ability to work at our other area stores," Lang said.

In order to clear out its remaining merchandise, all items are 20 percent off the regular retail prices through the closing date.

Many customers were in the store the day after the 4th of July, looking at everything from clothes and shoes to sunglasses and kitchenware.

"We are grateful for the patronage of our T.J. Maxx customers in Avon and believe they will continue to find great values at our nearby stores in Granby and Farmington," Lang said.

The next closest T.J. Maxx stores you'll be able to go to after next Saturday are in Farmington, at The Convenience Center on 600 Southeast Rd., and in Granby at Stop & Shop Plaza on 124A Salmon Brook Street.

The Avon site was one of 28 T.J. Maxx stores in Connecticut and the newest is in Southbury.

Bargain shopping is still an option in Avon at Marshalls in Nod Brook Mall at 315 West Main St. (Route 44) and at area boutiques like Jolie Boutique Consignment and A Cool Chick Place.

Lang confirmed that T.J. Maxx will be opening 50 stores nationally and 10 globally in the United States, Canada and Europe, but declined to identify the towns specifically.
About this column: Businesses and real estate are ever-changing. New companies come to Avon and older ones move out. New establishments are built and current ones are renovated. Patch is going to monitor the changes in the Avon business and development world.