ALBANY, Ore. (AP) -- Employees at Oregon's five Gottschalks department stores are getting ready to sell down to the walls.

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A bankruptcy judge signed the order after a consortium of liquidators had the winning bid to put the company out of business.

Gottschalks was founded in 1904. Analysts say it was at a disadvantage in tough economic times because it couldn't buy goods at the low prices of bigger competitors.

Lawrence LaJoie of the Gottschalks in Albany says it's been difficult breaking the news to workers.

He's told them they are likely to have jobs through the duration of the sale, until about mid-July. He says the going-out-of-business sale could start almost immediately.

Stores also will close in Bend, Eugene, Grants Pass and Klamath Falls.