Retail Calamity: Chains That Have Gone Bankrupt, More That Could

Eric Heyl
·2 min read

PITTSBURGH, PA — Retailers were expecting a difficult year even before the coronavirus outbreak. But with COVID-19 keeping most malls shut for more than two months and many chains still not having fully reopened their stores, the results have been even more devastating than anticipated.

Among the national chains that have filed for bankruptcy are Centric Brands, Stage Stores, Neiman Marcus, Modell's Sporting Goods, Roots USA, True Religion and Bluestem Brands. Sears, Kmart, JoAnn Stores and David's Bridal reportedly could be nearing bankruptcy.

The effect of the retail calamity is being felt in Pittsburgh, where the following chains have filed for bankruptcy this year:

Tuesday Morning

Filing date: May 27

Pittsburgh-area locations: North Hills Village, Ross; Penn Center, Wilkins and the Village of Eastside near Bakery Square.

Current status: The company plans to permanently close about 230 of its nearly 700 stores. The fate of its Pittsburgh locations is unkown.

J.C Penney

  • Filed for bankruptcy: May 15

  • Pittsburgh-area locations: Ross Park Mall, Robinson Town Centre, West Mifflin, Westmoreland Mall, Monroeville Mall, Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills, Clearview Mall, Beaver Valley Mall.

  • Current status: The retailer is closing at least 154 stores nationwide, including Monroveille Mall, Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills, Clearview Mall and Beaver Valley Mall.

ALDO

  • Filed for bankruptcy: May 7

  • Pittsburgh-area locations: Ross Park Mall, The Mall at Robinson, Grove City Premium Outlets.

  • Current status: The Canadian shoe retailer hopes to financially restructure and has not announced the fate of its southwestern Pennsylvania stores.

J. Crew

  • Filed for bankruptcy: May 4

  • Pittsburgh-area location: Ross Park Mall.

  • Current status: The retailer expects to stay in business, but the fate of its Ross Park Mall store is unknown.

Pier 1

  • Filed for bankruptcy: Feb 17

  • Pittsburgh-area locations (at the start of 2020): Ross, Washington, Upper St. Clair, Cranberry, Monroeville.

  • Current status; The Ross and Washington locations closed earlier this year. All of the chain's remaining stores will be shuttering after liquidation sales.



This article originally appeared on the Pittsburgh Patch