Bob’s Stores Permanently Closing All Locations After 70 Years

Bob’s Stores, a beloved retail giant that has been a staple in the northeast for 70 years, is set to permanently close all of its locations in the latest blow to the retail industry. The company’s president, Dave Barton, announced on Monday that Bob’s Stores was unable to secure the finances needed to continue operations.

With 21 locations spread across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, Bob’s Stores will be liquidating its inventory and offering discounts between 30 and 70 percent leading up to its closure on July 14. The store, known for its wide range of clothing options for families, has been a part of many major moments in its customers’ lives.

Despite the closure, Barton expressed gratitude to the vendors, suppliers, customers, and employees who have supported Bob’s Stores over the years. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 20, along with its sister company Eastern Mountain Sports, which employs over 700 workers.

Bob’s Stores, which started as Bob’s Surplus in Middletown, Connecticut in 1954, grew to over 35 stores throughout the Northeast before facing financial difficulties. The closure of Bob’s Stores is part of a larger trend in the retail industry, with nearly 3,200 stores expected to close this year, according to CoreSight Research.

As retail chains continue to face challenges, Bob’s Stores will be remembered as a beloved institution that provided clothing and memories for families across the northeast.