All Connecticut Bob's Stores Closing As Liquidation Announced

CONNECTICUT — The parent company of Bob's Stores, GoDigital Media Group, announced Monday that the company will be closing all locations and liquidate all inventory, as part of the Chapter 11 restructuring filing submitted last month.

The filing date was June 18, and this week it was announced financing options did not come to fruition. The once-great discount clothing chain founded in Connecticut seven decades ago is now fading into the retail abyss.

"Despite making swift and aggressive changes to the company's structure and operations, Bob's Stores was unable to secure the finances needed to maintain operations," the company said in the announcement.

Bob's stores began Going Out of Business sales in stores on Friday, with advertised discounts of 30-to-70 percent. Placards advertising the liquidation sale were pasted all over the Manchester location as it opened Tuesday morning. A staffer answering the phone at the Southington location said there is no formal closing date announced there, but estimates are the store would be shuttered by the "end of summer."

Hilco Merchant Resources, in a joint venture with Gordon Brothers, is managing the liquidation sale that will include all Bob's stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, according to the announcement.

The doomed stores in Connecticut include:

• Ansonia, 409 Main St.
• Hamden, 2300 Dixwell Ave.
• Manchester, 179 Pavilions Drive
• Middletown, 416 East Main St.
• Milford, 195 Cherry St.
• Newington, 172 Kitts Lane
• Simsbury, 504 Bushy Hill Road
• Southington, 835 Queen St.
• Waterbury, 910 Wolcott St.
• Waterford, 167 Parkway N.

The sale will feature workwear, footwear, team wear and "everyday clothing," and "select store fixtures, furniture, and equipment will also be available for sale," according to the announcement.

Bob's Sores President Dave Barton lamented on seven decades in business. Bob's Stores first opened in 1954 as Bob's Surplus by Bob Lapidus on Main Street in Middletown. It was popular with the discount crowd, particularly college students, who flocked to the location to sift through the bins and racks.

According to a company history, the store moved to a larger location because of booming business in 1962 and to another five years later after a fire. Expansion began in 1975 with the opening of locations in Enfield and Hamden, and it took on the Bob's Stores name in 1981 with expanded inventory.

"We regret that our financial position necessitated the liquidation of Bob's Stores. Bob's has been a stalwart of our local communities for nearly 70 years and we know our customers remember us as having been there for major moments in their lives," he said. "We remain grateful to our vendors, suppliers, customers and employees for all of their support over the years."

Gift cards and merchandise credits will be honored through close of business on July 14, according to the announcement.

All sales are final during the store closing sale and no returns will be accepted, officials said.

Exchanges will be accepted in accordance with the company's "existing policies" through the close of business on July 14, officials said. No exchanges for purchases made after July 14 will be accepted, officials said.