• Article Photo. Deep discounts have emptied most of the shelves at ALCO.
    Deep discounts have emptied most of the shelves at ALCO.
  • Article Photo. Men haul a cooler from ALCO, which is closing for the last time tonight.
    Men haul a cooler from ALCO, which is closing for the last time tonight.

An era comes to an end at 8 p.m. tonight, when the Alco store in Vinton will close for the very last time. 

All but a few shelves surrounding the check-out area are empty; several racks of clothing also remain. 

Those who buy five items of clothing will receive a 50 percent discount on their entire purchase. 

The store began its final closing sale in December, after the company filed for bankruptcy in November, leading to the closing of more than 100 stores in several states. 

Discounts began at 5 percent and gradually increased to 80 percent and more. Even the shelving, coolers and other store furnishings were offered at a discount. On Monday, several men loaded a large cooler bearing the store name onto a trailer.