Like much of the country, Meridian has suffered a rash of demoralizing store closings. But the latest store closing will be quickly followed by a store opening.

The Rex electronics store on Bonita Lakes Drive will close its doors as quickly as they can sell all of their merchandise, a local Rex manager who wished to remain anonymous confirmed Thursday. Once the store is closed, an Appliance Direct store is expected to take its place.

The manager said all of Rex’s retail stores would be closed as the company shifts focus to its alternative fuel and real estate divisions. Appliance Direct stores will be taking the place of the Rex stores that close. Rex operates seven retail locations in Mississippi.

Officials at Rex corporate did not immediately return phone calls.