Bob’s Stores to lay off 145 employees in Meriden

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Bob’s Stores will lay off 145 employees at the end of the month in Meriden, the business told the state, as part of “business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable.”

SDI Stores, which does business as Bob’s Stores, alerted the Connecticut Department of Labor of the decision on Tuesday. The layoffs at headquarters will happen on May 31.

“We are taking this action because of business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable,” a letter to the state reads. “We would like to have given you more notice of this action but were unable to do so because the bank has informed us within the last week that it will refuse to fund the employee health insurance premiums, 401K administration, payroll, as well as other critical financial obligations which, if not paid, will likely prevent us from being able to operate the business going forward. As of this date, they remain firm on their position despite our continuing best efforts to convince them otherwise.”

Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati said in a written statement that he’s offered “any assistance possible to their potential alternate funding sources to help them sustain their business operations and retain their employees.”

“Bob’s Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports has been a part of the Meriden community for decades and we value their partnership and the support of their employees,” Scarpati wrote. “We greatly appreciate their efforts in being a strong corporate citizen over the years and I am hopeful we can continue a partnership beyond the tentative layoff date of May 31, 2024.”

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