Eastern Mountain Sports, Bob’s Stores to Close NH Stores

SALEM, NH — More retail changes are coming to New Hampshire in the wake of the bankruptcy filing of the parent company of both Bob’s Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports, according to a report in the New Hampshire Union Leader. The Union Leader report stated that bankruptcy paperwork shows that the company is proposing closing Bob’s locations on South River Road in Bedford and Cluff Crossing in Salem and EMS locations on the DW Highway in Nashua and the Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem.

Eastern Outfitters LLC, according to retaildive.com, has 86 Bob’s and EMS stores across the country employing about 2,600 people. After filing for bankruptcy last year, the company is working on a deal with another company in Britain as well as closing 48 stores that are underperforming.

The company has been flipping between private equity firms in previous years, according to Law360.com, and has more than $100 million in debt.

The news comes as other stores in New Hampshire – including Radio Shack – are closing.

The bankruptcy court will eye the proposal next week.

Read the full report in the New Hampshire Union Leader.