Goody's closing the remainder of its stores

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Discount clothing chain Goody's Family Clothing will begin liquidating its remaining stores Friday - including six in northeast Georgia. The retailer, thus, becomes one of the year's first victims of the worsening economy.

The stores in Athens, Blue Ridge, Commerce, East Ellijay, Toccoa and Winder are among 40 Goody's has remaining in Georgia. The Gainesville store closed about a year ago.

The move, which comes less than four months after the privately held retailer emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, affects the Knoxville, Tenn.-based chain's 287 stores scattered throughout 20 Midwestern and Southern states, said Cathy Hershcopf, a partner at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.

It's uncertain what will happen to the company's 9,800 workers after the liquidation â