Filene’s Basement closing one-third of chain

-- Home Textiles Today, 1/21/2009 1:46:00 PM

Columbus, Ohio – Noting that landlords are proving loathe to reduce rents, off-price chain Filene’s Basement has begun final closeout sales at 11 of its 36 locations.

“While we have worked with our landlords to look for solutions such as fair rent reductions we have not found sufficient relief to avoid taking steps toward certain store closings,” said spokeswoman Mariellen Burns.

The 11 stores affected are in: Orland Park and Schaumburg, Ill.; Columbia, Hunt Valley and Towson, Md.; Framingham, Mass.; Mercer, N.J.; Levittown, N.Y.; Pittsburgh and Springfield, Pa.; and Tyson’s Corner, Va.

Filene’s parent, Retail Ventures Inc., began store closing sales two days ago and expect to conclude them by Feb. 28.