The Filene’s Basement locations in Columbia, Hunt Valley and Towson will close by the end of February — more retail casualties the result of dramatically reduced consumer spending.
The discount retailer known for its “Running of the Brides” wedding gown sale is reportedly closing about a third of its 36 stores.
The chain’s parent company, Retail Ventures Inc., has been unable to negotiate rent reductions for 11 locations, said Julie Davis, general counsel for the firm.
“We’re still hoping there are some landlord negotiations that might help us keep stores,” Davis said.
In addition to the three Baltimore-area stores, the company will close two stores in Illinois and Pennsylvania and one each in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Virginia.
The Filene’s Basement in Inner Harbor will remain open.
The Columbia closure comes a little more than one year after it was opened. The Hunt Valley location opened in 2006, while the Towson location opened in 2004.
The Filene’s closings follow the 2008 closings of seven Baltimore-area Value City Department Stores, three Baltimore-area Boscov’s locations and the C-Mart in Joppa.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
