Spiegel Inc., Downers Grove, IL, asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Cornelius Blackshear in Manhattan for permission to open seven new Eddie Bauer stores in six states and Canada and as many as 10 additional stores.
The request includes six outlets that the company said it has, or is near, lease agreements for. It is also looking for approval to open a store in Oregon and 10 stores in unspecified locations, according to Bloomberg L.P.
Spiegel has closed 60 stores as well as distribution and customer service centers since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March. A company opening stores in a bankruptcy case is rare, Bloomberg reported.
Spiegel's filing said “sound business reasons” exist “to open and take all action necessary to open the new Eddie Bauer stores.”
The planned seven new stores are in Calgary; Colorado Springs, CO; South Windsor, CT; Troutdale, OR; Lee, MA; Short Pump, VA; and Alderwood, WA.
“The filing is part of the process we have to go through as a company operating in Chapter 11,” Spiegel spokeswoman Debbie Koopman told DM News. “It’s just about reviewing the overall portfolio and making sure we have the right locations as they execute their brand repositioning.”
A hearing is set for Nov. 18.
