Bankrupt National Retailer With Multiple CT Locations To Close Stores

CONNECTICUT — Eddie Bauer, the well-known national retailer, could not find a purchaser after declaring bankruptcy last month and is attempting to shutter more than 170 locations - including its Connecticut stores.

RCS Real Estate Advisors has been retained to market the leases of Eddie Bauer stores throughout the U.S. and Canada after the deadline for securing a buyer for the chain expired on Friday.

The portfolio includes 150 locations across 40 United States and 24 locations across in Canada in established malls, lifestyle centers and-high traffic retail corridors.

In Connecticut, Eddie Bauer locations are in Mashantucket, Westbrook and South Windsor.

“This portfolio represents a rare opportunity to secure legacy retail locations in established centers nationwide," RCS President Ivan Friedman said in a statement.

Eddie Bauer was founded by a man of the same name in 1920 as a sports shop in downtown Seattle, according to the store’s blog. Among Bauer’s accomplishments were creating and patenting the first down-insulated jacket in the U.S.

The Seattle-based apparel, outwear and gear retailer Eddie Bauer blamed last month's bankruptcy filing on increased costs of doing business due to inflation, ongoing tariff uncertainty and other factors.

According to USA Today, bankruptcy filing documents state Eddie Bauer's brick-and-mortar locations won't accept gift cards after March 12. No refunds or returns will be accepted either.

— By Eric Heyl, Patch Staff