Eddie Bauer’s North American retail operator has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, placing roughly 180 U.S. and Canadian stores into restructuring. While many locations are expected to remain open in the near term, the company is evaluating store closures, liquidation sales, and the potential sale of its retail operations. Other parts of the Eddie Bauer brand, including certain e‑commerce, wholesale, and international businesses, are not included in the filing and continue to operate separately.
For creditors, this development introduces several practical considerations. Pre‑bankruptcy amounts owed are generally treated as unsecured claims, ongoing business relationships may be reassessed, and court‑driven deadlines to assert rights and claims will follow. As with many retail Chapter 11 cases, the situation may evolve quickly as the debtors determine which operations and contracts it intends to maintain.
Husch Blackwell is monitoring the Eddie Bauer proceedings and working with clients to understand how the filing may affect existing relationships, payment rights, and contractual obligations. Our insolvency and restructuring team assists creditors with evaluating exposure, responding to bankruptcy notices, and navigating the procedural steps that arise in these cases.
Contact us
If you do business with Eddie Bauer’s retail operations and have questions about how this filing may impact you, please contact Tara LeDay or a member of the Husch Blackwell Insolvency & Commercial Bankruptcy team to discuss the issues and considerations specific to your situation.