Eddie Bauer to close Seattle headquarters, lay off 60 workers

Outdoor apparel brand's retail operator files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Eddie Bauer plans to permanently close its corporate office in Seattle and lay off 60 workers in the process, according to a state filing. The Seattle-based outdoor apparel brand's Sodo office at 2200 1st Avenue South will close, and all 60 employees who work there will lose their jobs between April and June. The layoffs were announced on the same day Eddie Bauer's retail operator, Catalyst Brands, confirmed filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Why it matters

The closure of Eddie Bauer's Seattle headquarters and the bankruptcy filing of its retail operator, Catalyst Brands, mark the end of an era for the iconic outdoor apparel brand. This development reflects the broader challenges facing traditional retail, including declining sales, supply chain issues, and the impact of inflation and other economic factors.

The details

According to the state filing, the layoffs of Eddie Bauer workers at its Seattle headquarters will begin in April, with 45 employees separating from the company, followed by the other 15 in June. Some workers have been offered transfers. In addition to the closure of its headquarters, 'certain' Eddie Bauer retail and outlet stores in the United States and Canada will also shutter, though the company plans to hold liquidation sales at the remaining locations.

  • The layoffs will begin in April, with 45 employees separating from the company.
  • The remaining 15 employees will be laid off in June.

The players

Catalyst Brands

The Texas-based organization that operates Eddie Bauer's physical locations, as well as JCPenney, Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand and Nautica. Catalyst Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on the same day the Eddie Bauer layoffs were announced.

Marc Rosen

The CEO of Catalyst Brands, who stated that the retail company was in a 'challenged situation' even before the formation of Catalyst Brands, with declining sales, supply chain challenges and other issues that have been 'exacerbated by various headwinds, including increased costs of doing business due to inflation, ongoing tariff uncertainty, and other factors.'

Beth Sullivan

An Eddie Bauer employee who shared the news of the headquarters closure and layoffs on social media, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to help steward the iconic brand.

Authentic Brands Group

A brand management company in New York City that owns Eddie Bauer's intellectual property.

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What they’re saying

“Even prior to the inception of Catalyst Brands last year, the Retail Company was in a challenged situation, with declining sales, supply chain challenges and other issues. Over the past year, these challenges have been exacerbated by various headwinds, including increased costs of doing business due to inflation, ongoing tariff uncertainty, and other factors.”

— Marc Rosen, CEO of Catalyst Brands (seattletimes.com)

“End of an era — and a meaningful chapter closed. After eight years at Eddie Bauer, I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to help steward a truly iconic brand with a rich history and a clear sense of purpose.”

— Beth Sullivan, Brand strategy and integrated marketing employee (social media)

What’s next

The judge overseeing Catalyst Brands' Chapter 11 bankruptcy case will determine the fate of the remaining Eddie Bauer stores and the company's future direction.

The takeaway

The closure of Eddie Bauer's Seattle headquarters and the bankruptcy filing of its retail operator, Catalyst Brands, highlight the ongoing challenges facing traditional retail, particularly in the face of economic headwinds such as inflation and supply chain issues. This development marks the end of an era for the iconic outdoor apparel brand, which must now navigate an uncertain future.