COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A fashion retailer headquartered in Columbus with over 500 stores in the U.S. will now close over 100 of them.
Express, whose portfolio includes Bonobos and UpWest, filed for bankruptcy and plans to close 95 Express stores and all 10 of its UpWest stores. The company did not specify which Express locations will be shut down, but said closing sales at the affected stores are expected to begin Tuesday.
The company said the remaining stores will continue business as usual, with gift cards and store credits being redeemed in stores. All the company’s online channels and apps will also continue to accept orders.
In a news release, Express claimed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection was to “facilitate the sale” of most of its operations to an investor group, which includes WHP Global, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties. Subject to court approval, Express said it received a letter of intent from the investors to buy the assets.
Express currently has 11 locations in Ohio, with a store in both Easton Town Center and Polaris Fashion Place. The state is home to one Bonobos store in the Victorian Village neighborhood. The company did not share the fate of these locations as of Monday. None of the company’s 10 UpWest stores are located in Ohio. Limited Brands opened the first Express store in Chicago in 1980.