Eastern Mountain Sports at Berkshire Mall Slated For Closure
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Eastern Mountain Sports could be the next store to leave the Berkshire Mall.
Eastern Outfitters is looking at closing 21 of 35 Bob's Stores and 27 of 51 Eastern Mountain Sports locations, according to the company's bankruptcy proceedings. The 4,226 square-foot retail space in the Berkshire Mall is one of those listed in the bankruptcy filings for closure.
Sports Direct has offered to buy Eastern Outfitters through a private sale but only wants some locations, not all. The plan is to close those identified locations and sell the rest. Eastern Outfitters asked for court permission to conduct store closing sales at those locations.
"Sports Direct has identified certain locations that do not make economic sense to operate, particularly if the debtors are unable to get better terms on some of their leases. Although in certain instances, negotiations with the landlords are ongoing, the debtors seek approval of liquidation procedures for all the non-continuing stores identified by Sports Direct," reads the bankruptcy docket filed on April 5.
Sports Direct would be working with a consultant on the store closing sales. However, there is still a chance the company keeps some of those stores open.
"Entry into the agreement will allow the debtors and Sports Direct to utilize the experience and resources of the consultant to oversee operations at the non-continuing stores (thereby reducing shrinkage of inventory and other issues) in a format that permits the debtors and Sports Direct to maintain flexibility to keep as many stores open as possible if negotiations with landlords are ultimately successful," the filing reads.
The loss of the store would be just the latest retailer to leave the Berkshire Mall. The mall has been losing tenants steadily over the last two years as struggling brick-and-mortar retailers consolidate or close storefronts.
Most recently, Payless Shoe Source announced it, too, would be leaving the mall after its parent company filed for bankruptcy reorganization. That is on top of anchor J.C. Penney announcing it planned to close. Previously, Best Buy and Macy's both closed. Meanwhile, Sears has been struggling nationally as well and many fear that could be the next to close at the Berkshire Mall.
Tags: Berkshire Mall, store closings,
