West Marine to Close 59 Stores as Bankruptcy Looms

West Marine, a major player in the boating and marine products retail sector in the U.S., has announced the closure of 59 stores across 23 states, with five of those located in California.

The company sought bankruptcy protection in May, attributing its struggles to “supply chain disruptions, extreme weather, and shifts in consumer behavior,” which have challenged the survival of its brick-and-mortar locations. Recently, spending on boats and fishing has been on the decline, likely due to inflation affecting many households.

California, where West Marine originated, has seen a significant impact, with closures in cities like Redding, Oceanside, Monterey, Pittsburgh, and Chula Vista. Florida is experiencing even more extensive losses, with eight stores shutting down, while Michigan follows closely with six store closures.

Despite these setbacks, company officials have stated that West Marine is not planning to go out of business entirely. They reassured stakeholders that the Chapter 11 filing is a step toward restructuring.

“The steps we are taking now will help us optimize our operations and refine our focus, allowing us to better serve our customers and communities into the future,” said Paulee Day, the CEO of West Marine.

Even as some locations close their doors, the plan is to maintain around 150 stores, as well as continue online and app-based sales. It’s uncertain how many employees will be affected by these changes, but the company has indicated that obligations to staff—like salaries and benefits—will be honored.

Five West Marine locations in Washington state will close, while Maryland and South Carolina each lose four stores. Other affected states include New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and numerous others, which will also see several store closures.