Orchard Supply Hardware, a chain of upscale hardware and garden stores owned by corporate parent Lowe’s, will close all 99 of its stores, the company announced August 22. “The decision to close was not made lightly, but it was a necessary business decision,” the company stated in a letter posted on its website.

The company has four locations in Oregon — Tigard, Beaverton and the Hollywood and Belmont neighborhoods of Portland. The balance of the stores are located in Florida and California. Liquidation sales began August 23 and are expected to last about 10 weeks.

Lowe’s purchased the chain out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013. According to a report posted by the Oregonian newspaper (Portland) and its sister website Oregonlive.com, it will cost the company between $390 million and $475 to wind down Orchard’s operations, including lease obligations and other expenses.

The end of Orchard reduces competition for nursery and garden center operators, but it also eliminates a customer for wholesale nurseries that focus on serving big box customers.