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Wilsons Leather stays

in the Farms Outlets

Although Wilsons the Leather Experts Inc. has announced plans to close up to 160 stores, the Wilsons Leather Outlet Division, which has a store at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, will not be affected.

The company said recently it will embark on a strategy aimed at reducing its mall store base and launch a new accessories store concept.

With up to 160 mall locations scheduled to close, the firm will remodel its remaining 100 mall stores to a "studio" concept which has been tested since last fall in four regions of the country.

"We expect the cost reduction initiation will enable us to reduce our working capital needs and strengthen our business," said Chief Executive Officer Mike Searles.

The mall store closings and inventory liquidation process is expected to occur over the next 90 to 120 days. A third-party liquidator and real estate firm has been retained to assist.

Public hearings slated

on FirstEnergy boost

In a decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, residential customers of FirstEnergy will have the opportunity to express their opinions on the utility's proposed base rate increase request.

The schedule is: March 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the Ocasek Government Center in downtown Akron; March 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lausche State Office Building in Cleveland; and March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Shaker Heights City Hall.

"We encourage consumers to participate in the hearings and express their thoughts about the higher electric rates proposed by FirstEnergy," said Janine Migden-Ostrander of the Ohio Consumers Counsel.

FirstEnergy has proposed a $340 million annual revenue increase, including an increase of $109 million for Cleveland Electric Illuminating, $1612 million for Oho Edison and $71 million for Toledo Edison.

The Ohio Consumers Counsel believes the proposed rate increase is unreasonable.