Eddie Bauer Store Closures: What to Recognize as Retailer Faces Bankruptcy

Updated March 2, 2026, 3:32 p.m. ET—After filing for bankruptcy last month, the retail operator for approximately 180 Eddie Bauer stores has put all U.S. And Canadian locations at risk of permanent closure.

Eddie Bauer LLC, a division of Catalyst Brands, announced on February 9 that its outdoor clothing stores would remain open during a court-supervised sale process. Though, the company stated it would be forced to close its U.S. And Canadian locations if a buyer isn’t found.

So far, the company has “substantially slimmed down its operations,” according to a court filing, and leases for 49 stores were not renewed. Eddie Bauer cited declining sales, supply chain challenges, and other issues as contributing factors to its financial difficulties.

“This is not an easy decision,” Marc Rosen, CEO of Catalyst Brands, said in a statement. “However, this restructuring is the best way to optimize value for the retail company’s stakeholders and also ensure Catalyst Brands remains profitable and with strong liquidity and cash flow.”

When Will Eddie Bauer Stores Close?

A company spokesperson stated that Eddie Bauer stores are continuing to serve customers and that the retailer is not “able to forecast any individual closing dates by location at this time.”

Tuesday, March 3, is the bid deadline for potential buyers of the remaining store locations, the company said. “In the event of a sale, the company may depart from a full wind-down of operations to facilitate a going-concern transaction,” the spokesperson added.

Store-closing sales began at the remaining 175 stores between January 26 and February 7 and are expected to continue throughout the Chapter 11 process, Eddie Bauer said.

Eddie Bauer Store Locations in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to four Eddie Bauer store locations, all of which could close this year:

• Burlington Mall (Full-Price Store): 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Space 1068B, Burlington, MA 01803
• Lee Premium Outlets (Outlet Store): 270 Premium Outlets Boulevard, Lee, MA 01238
• MarketStreet Lynnfield (Full-Price Store): 1145 Market Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940
• Wrentham Premium Outlets (Outlet Store): One Premium Outlets Boulevard, Suite 640, Wrentham, MA 02093

No information was available regarding potential closing dates for these locations.

Online Operations Unaffected

Eddie Bauer LLC’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy is not expected to impact the brand’s manufacturing, wholesale, or e-commerce operations, nor will it affect retail operations outside of the U.S. And Canada.

The brand and its intellectual property worldwide are owned by Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development and licensing platform that also owns Reebok, Nautica, Brooks Brothers, and Dockers.

Authentic announced on January 3 that it was expanding its partnership with Outdoor 5, LLC (Oved) to assume responsibility for the brand’s e-commerce and wholesale operations, as well as design and product development in the United States and Canada.

“The strategic focus on digital growth builds on Eddie Bauer’s strong online footprint and its community of explorers, who come together across its platforms to share and seek new adventures,” the company said in a news release.

About Eddie Bauer

Eddie Bauer was founded by Eddie Bauer, a Seattle native with a passion for hunting and fishing. The store aims to “inspire, enable, and empower everyone to experience the outdoors and live their adventure.”

The brand opened as Bauer Sports Shop in 1920 and celebrated its centennial in 2020. Eddie Bauer’s products range from performance outerwear to apparel, footwear, and accessories and are available online in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Japan, and other international markets.