Ames Plans to Close 32 Stores, Including Three in Western New York.

Byline: Sharon Linstedt

Nov. 10--Ames Department Stores has announced plans to close three Western New York stores as part of company-wide downsizing effort that will see a total of 32 stores shuttered in early 2001.

The closures, which will affect 2,000 Ames employees, were detailed Thursday as the retailer forecast an unexpected yearly loss due to higher energy prices and an interest-rate caused slowdown in customer spending.

Locally, Ames will close stores at 3270 Sheridan Drive in Eggertsville and 4271 Lake Ave. in Blasdell, as well as the store at 3955 Vineyard Drive in Dunkirk.

Mary McCabe, spokeswoman for the Connecticut-based …