Connecticut Retailers Cutting Jobs, Closing Stores Amid Financial Woes

Job Losses, Store Closures Loom for Connecticut Apparel Chains

Photo byEvan WiseonUnsplash

Two well-known Connecticut retail chains are being impacted by major layoffs and store closures announced by their parent company, which cited financial troubles as the reason for the restructuring.

Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports expect to lay off 154 employees at their warehouse facility in Meriden. The layoffs, which will impact 145 Bob's Stores workers and 9 Eastern Mountain Sports employees, are planned to take effect by May 31.

In addition, the company spokesperson confirmed that five "underperforming" store locations will be shut down—one Bob's store in Southington, two in New Jersey, and two Eastern Mountain Sports sites in New York and New Hampshire.

The cuts were disclosed after the retailers' president, David Barton, notified state labor officials that the company's lender is refusing to provide funding for payroll and benefits in the future.

In a WARN notice filed with the Connecticut Department of Labor, Barton stated the "financial issues with its lender" prompted the layoffs and closures as the company works to "aggressively reposition the business to ensure the longevity of the company."

The moves could potentially jeopardize the future of SDI Stores, the Meriden-based parent company of Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports. The layoffs will impact a significant portion of the 154 workers at the company's Meriden headquarters and warehouse on Corporate Court.

Connecticut's economic development officials expressed concern about the turbulence given SDI's status as one of the larger remaining homegrown retail companies in the state. Bob's Stores was founded in Connecticut in 1954 and focuses on casual apparel, while Eastern Mountain Sports specializes in outdoor gear and apparel.

"This is sudden — and unfortunately we don't know too many other details of it. This just seems to be pulling the rug out from under them.," said Joe Feest, Meriden's economic development director.

Bob's Stores currently has ten locations in Connecticut, including Ansonia, Hamden, Manchester, Middletown, Milford, Newington, Simsbury, Southington, Waterbury, and Waterford.

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