Fort Lauderdale-based boating supply company West Marine plans to close four stores in the region. The company’s announcement that it plans to shutter 59 locations comes about a month after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing headwinds including consumer behavior shifts and severe weather.
Stores in Venice, Port Charlotte, Bonita Springs and Winter Haven are among those set to close. Around the state, others on the closure list are in Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Coast and Fernandina Beach. In all, the company plans to close 59 stores nationwide. Florida is the hardest hit with eight, followed by Michigan, where the company is closing six stores.
The closures represent a reduction of about 30% of West Marine’s retail footprint. The company had approximately 200 stores across 34 states and Puerto Rico when it filed Chapter 11 on May 17, according to court filings. It also had 2,600 employees, whom it calls “crew members,” on staff…