July 02, 2024 7:39 pm • Last Updated: July 02, 2024 7:39 PM
Waterford ― A clearance sale offering deep discounts on footwear, apparel and outdoor gear is underway at the combined Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports stores in the Cross Road Center Mall at 167 Parkway North, off Interstate 95 exit 81.
Stores are seeking to liquidate all inventory and are expected to close by the fall.
Bob's Stores, a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based GoDigital Media Group, announced Monday that it will close all Bob's stores in the Northeast, including 10 in Connecticut. The company filed for Chapter 11 restructuring last month in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.
“Despite making rapid and aggressive changes to the company's structure and operations, Bob's Stores has been unable to secure the financing necessary to maintain operations,” the company said in a press release. “Bob's Stores started their Going Out of Business sale in stores on Friday, June 28, with discounts of 30-70%.”
On Tuesday, the manager of local Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports stores declined to comment on the impending closings. No closing date has been set. Signs in stores announced they will honor gift cards and merchandise credits through July 14. All discounts are final. Exchanges will be accepted in accordance with existing company policies.
The other Bob's Connecticut stores are in Ansonia, Hamden, Manchester, Middletown, Milford, Newington, Simsbury, Southington and Waterbury.
Hilco Merchant Resources, of Northbrook, Ill., manages merchandise liquidation at all Bob's stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. In addition to store merchandise, select lighting, furniture and equipment are sold.
“We regret that our financial position has necessitated the liquidation of Bob's Stores,” said Dave Barton, the company's president. “Bob's has been a fixture in our local communities for nearly 70 years and we know our customers remember us as being there for important moments in their lives. We remain grateful to our vendors, suppliers, customers and employees for all their support over the years.”
Founded as Bob's Surplus in Middletown in 1954, Bob's Stores has been acquired by new owners several times and has been involved in several reorganizations.
In May, the company notified the state Department of Labor that it intended to lay off employees at its Meriden offices and warehouse. This week, it said it will close all Bob's Stores and some Eastern Mountain Sports locations.
In Waterford, Eastern Mountain Sports was originally located in the Crystal Mall. It then occupied space on Dayton Road before moving to the Parkway North location next to Bob's Stores in 2019.
b.hallenbeck@theday.com
