This article found in The Andalusia Star News, August 31, 2001

Three properties that once made up Covington Industries Inc., an Opp-based garment manufacturing operation, are going on the auction block.

A foreclosure auction is set for Thursday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. on the front steps of the Covington County Courthouse.

“Basically the bank is foreclosing on the property,” said Willow Lung, marketing consultant with Tranzon Fox, the company handling the auction.

Lung said the desire of the bank and of her company is to find a buyer to possibly reopen the facilities.

“We want this (auction) to be a positive event,” Lung said. “What we want to make happen is for someone to come in, buy it and reopen.”

The properties are located in Opp and Kinston. The Covington building located in the industrial park has 64,512 square feet and is located on 14.8 acres.

The second facility in Opp is located on U.S. 331 South and has 55,235 square feet on about 3 acres. Located on Alabama 52 in Kinston, the third property has 57,146 square feet on about 3.2 acres.

“We have actually contacted quite a few people,” Lung said. “We contacted people in distribution centers, manufacturing centers, real estate developers, textile manufacturers and people with warehouses who might want to use it for storage.”

Lung said in an effort to market the properties, her company contacted more than 700 textile manufacturers alone.

“We contacted a lot of textile industries all around the nation to see if they would be interested in relocating,” she said.

The sale of the Covington Industries properties is being ordered by the courts in an effort by the bank that holds the note to recoup its money.

While Lung did not identify the bank, when Covington Industries declared bankruptcy in 1999, LaSalle Business Credit was the financial institution identified in court papers.

“This is really a legal sale, and it’s what is required by the courts,” Lung said.

In such cases, Lung said marketing the property for the sale is usually limited.

“In this case, the bank has really tried to find a buyer, and is putting as much as possible into marketing the properties to find a buyer,” Lung said. “Hopefully, if there is anyone out there interested in relocating to Opp, they will know about this sale.”

Many foreclosure auctions such as this take place on site. However, because the properties are located miles apart, the auction is set for the county courthouse steps.

“It will be an actual auction held on the courthouse steps,” Lung said. “We are working with an Alabama auctioneer, John Johnson.”

Prior to the auction, the properties will be open for inspection.

“The inspection dates are Sept. 13 and Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.,” Lung said. “Anyone who is interested should contact me for an information package.”

Lung said the package includes information about the properties, as well as deposit requirements.

“There is also general information about the area,” she said. “This is so someone interested in relocating will know something about the area where the property is located.”

Covington Industries, once one of Opp’s major employers, sold in early 1999 to Detyne Inc. In December 1999, owner Aimee Toth filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Despite reorganization efforts, the business ceased operation.

“We hope to have a good outcome from the auction,” Lung said. “They (the bank) want it (Covington properties) back in the hands of someone who can use it.”

Anyone interested in the properties or who wants more information can contact Lung at 1-800-868-0458 to receive an information package. Or they can contact her at 301-454-0278, e-mail wlung@tranzon.com

The company handling the auction is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is the largest affiliate of seven companies that make up Tranzon. Lung works out of the company’s Maryland office.