Linens ‘n Things closing more Valley stores

Linens 'n Things will close seven additional stores in Arizona -including three in the East Valley - as part of a plan to shutter 120 locations nationwide.

The stores are at Tempe Marketplace shopping center, Crossroads Towne Center in Gilbert and Chandler Crossing in Chandler.

Stores in Tucson, Surprise and Prescott are also closing. A location in Yuma has already gone dark.

Shortly after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, the company said it planned to close only one Arizona location - the store at Arizona Mills in Tempe.

Susan Kenney, a Linens 'n Things spokeswoman, didn't offer specific dates when the stores would close.

"We expect an orderly wind down of business over the next few months," she said in an e-mail. "As for employees, where possible, we will try to accommodate (them) at other stores."

SWEET FURNISHINGS

Sweet Potatoes, a small shop selling furnishings, upholstery and home accessories, has opened at the southwest corner of Williams Field and Higley roads.

Owner Marci Riggs, a horse lover, donates a portion of her profits to Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue, a group dedicated to saving mustangs and domestic horses from mistreatment and slaughter.

Customers should have no problem finding the store: Riggs painted it the color of a sweet potato.

But if you want to check out her collection of eclectic furnishings, you'll have to catch Riggs between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

"I like balance in my life," she said.

FORD OPENS STATIONS

Hoping to rev up business, Ford dealerships in Gilbert and Scottsdale have opened drive-through service stations called Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centers.

The centers do oil changes, brake service and other repairs.

Car dealers hope the new service will bring more revenue as auto sales drop around the Valley and the nation.

The new centers are open at San Tan Ford near Val Vista Drive and Loop 202 in Gilbert, and Five Star Ford at Scottsdale and McDowell roads. A stand-alone Quick Lane is open at Power Road and Southern Avenue in Mesa.

cafe opens

Sandstone Cafe at the southeast corner of Ray and Rural roads in Chandler opened for business on Tuesday.

The restaurant sells hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and chicken wings.