Heritage Retailer Closing Minnesota Stores & Moving Online Only

The retail outlook for 2026 is not great according to financialists.  Not only in this area, but in general.  There is a lot of question about the economy, and that trickles down to consumers not necessarily spending as much as they have in previous years.

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RETAIL BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING IN SOME AREAS

It's getting more and more difficult for some businesses to maintain brick and mortar stores with staffing issues, some supply chain issues, and just traffic in general.

Last week Eddie Bauer, which has been in business for the last 106 years, is closing their brick and mortar stores and moving to an online option only.

Sources said the outdoor specialty store chain is prepping a Chapter 11 filing to shutter its approximately 200 North American stores. The Eddie Bauer store operations are owned by Catalyst Brands under license from brand owner Authentic Brands Group.

THERE ARE SOME STORES WORLDWIDE WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN

The brand is worldwide, and this is only affecting the stores in North America.  The stores that are located in other areas like Japan will not be impacted.

Years ago, Crossroads Mall did have an Eddie Bauer store within the mall. RIght now, the closest store is in the Albertville Outlet Mall.  There is no definitive word on when the stores will be closing in Minnesota, but it has been stated that most likely will be throughout this year of 2026.

MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PROBABLE SALES

That just means to me that if you want to get something now, and not have to have it shipped to you - head to Albertville or some of the other malls in Minnesota that still have an Eddie Bauer location and take advantage of some of the sales which are sure to be popping up soon.