Evanston North Face Closes Abruptly

EVANSTON, IL — The North Face store in downtown Evanston abruptly closed last weekend, opening up a prime piece of downtown retail real estate in Sherman Plaza. The 1600 Sherman Ave. location of the San Francisco Bay Area-based outdoor clothing chain closed Saturday after more than a decade in downtown Evanston without providing any notice or explanation.

There are now only three North Face locations in the state: 875 N. Michigan Ave. at Water Tower Place in Chicago, 1629 N. Damen Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood and Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie.

The company did not respond to repeated requests for comment Monday and Tuesday.

VF Corporation, the Greensboro, North Carolina-based parent company of The North Face, also owns brands JanSport, Lee, Nautica, Reef, Smartwool, Timberland, Vans and Wrangler.

When the Evanston store first opened, its manager described the brand's clothing as "almost the Northwestern uniform," according to a 2007 Daily Northwestern account. The store offered students a 10 percent discount.

Judging by the recent prevalence of even-pricier – more than $1,000 for some jackets – Canada Goose apparel among attendees at the private university, it appears North Face may not carry the same collegiate cachet it once did.

March 28 Update: North Face Public Relations Coordinator Michaela Hardy responded Wednesday afternoon with a statement on behalf of the company that noted that the brand was "committed to helping our customers get outside" and noted its other Chicago area locations.

"We thank the Evanston community for their support," it said, before noting customers can also shop online.