Outdoor apparel retailer Eddie Bauer is expected to close its stores in North America and file for bankruptcy. The company, whose namesake opened its first store in Seattle in 1920, operates more than 200 stores in North America currently — down from more than 600 international locations in the 19 90s. Locations outside of North America would not be subject to the bankruptcy proceedings, according to Women’s Wear Daily. The company’s manufacturing, wholesale, or e-commerce operations would continue, WWD reports. Catalyst Brands, which owns the rights to operate Eddie Bauer stores, is the entity filing for bankruptcy. A number of parties are expected to bid for the rights to operate some or all of the Eddie Bauer stores, according to Business Insider. A winning bidder would then be able to license the rights from Authentic Brands Group and potentially keep stores open or bring the Eddie Bauer brand under the umbrella of another retailer. FILE - Shoppers pay for their purchases at a closing Eddie Bauer store in Bloomingdale, Illinois. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images) The outdoor chain has filed for bankruptcy twice in the past, once in 2003 and again in 2009. Eddie Bauer is credited with having created the quilted goose down jacket, receiving a patent for the durable outerwear development in 1940. Brick-and-mortar retail has had a rough start to 2026. Saks Global —which owns luxury department stores Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman — filed for bankruptcy protection last month after running out of cash. ...read more read less