National Clothing Retailer Closing 2 MI Stores

MICHIGAN — Two Express stores in Michigan are closing as the national clothing retailer begins bankruptcy proceedings.

Express and its subsidiaries announced a voluntary Chapter 11 filing out of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware Tuesday to "facilitate" a sale process.

Also on Tuesday, the Ohio-based company said it has received a non-binding letter of intent from a consortium led by WHP Global and participants including a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties for the potential sale of a substantial majority of the Company’s retail stores and operations.

The retailer is looking to close roughly 95 stores across 30 states and all 10 of the UpWest stores it operates. The two Michigan stores selected for closing include:

• The Express store at the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights
• The Express Factory Outlet store at the Crossroads Mall in Portage

Closing sales are expected to begin immediately at the stores closing down.

In a bankruptcy filing summary, Express officials said the company has received a commitment for $35 million in new financing from "certain of its existing lenders," subject to court approval. Additionally, on April 15, the Company received $49 million in cash from the Internal Revenue Service related to the CARES Act, according to the summary.

Express officials said stores are in "business-as-usual" mode as the company works "to right-size its lease portfolio and operations."

"We continue to make meaningful progress refining our product assortments, driving demand, connecting with customers and strengthening our operations," Express CEO Stewart Glendinning said. "We are taking an important step that will strengthen our financial position and enable Express to continue advancing our business initiatives. WHP has been a strong partner to the Company since 2023, and the proposed transaction will provide us additional financial resources, better position the business for profitable growth and maximize value for our stakeholders."

Express also has Michigan stores in:

• Ann Arbor
• Clinton Township
• Grandville
• Lansing
• Novi
• Saginaw
• Troy