By M. Scott Carter

Transcript Staff Writer

While Harold’s Stores Inc. announced this week it plans to close its original Norman location because they have been “unsuccessful after several months,” the son of the company’s founder said both parties “continue to have conversations” about that location.

Located at 329 W. Boyd St. on Campus Corner, the original Harolds, which opened in 1948, is adjacent to the University of Oklahoma campus. The store has been a fixture in Norman for decades.

“The history and heritage of the Campus Corner store and East Norman are endearing and we have enjoyed being a part of the university community,” said Ron Staffieri, chief executive officer in a media release. “Although we are disappointed with the result of our negotiations, we look forward to serving our Norman customers in our 50 Penn Place location.”

However, Rainey Powell, son of Harold’s founder, Harold Powell, and the store’s landlord, said both parties are still negotiating.

“We were surprised to get a press release,” Powell said. “Actually, at this point we continue to have conversations, and, hopefully, we’ll be able to work something out.”

Last month the company announced a consolidation of its Norman outlet location to its larger, 20,000-square-foot outlet warehouse in Oklahoma City, 8345 N. Rockwell Ave.

Powell said both parties have been discussing the issue for several months.

“We began conversations in late August or early September,” he said.

In an article published this week in the Oklahoma City Journal Record, Powell said he hopes the family and the company “can continue discussions to save the original store.”

Powell once served as president of the company but is no longer involved in its daily operation. However, the Powell family, the newspaper said, remains a minority shareholder in the company.

While Harold’s corporate officials have been tightlipped about the closure of the Norman store, the company’s media release said the Norman store would be closed because company officials have been “unable to reach an equitable lease agreement with the landlord and (have) subsequently been given a notice of termination requiring the store to vacate by May 31st.”

“After a number of attempts to reach an equitable lease agreement, the Company’s final submission on April 30, 2008, was denied,” the statement said.

Harolds has 41 stores in 19 states and two outlets. In Oklahoma, Harolds has a store in Norman and a branch store at Oklahoma City’s 50 Penn Place.