WINNIPEG — Warehouse One Clothing Ltd. has announced that it has commenced proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) to close its 128 stores across the country.
“After careful consideration of all reasonably available options, the company has made the difficult decision to commence the CCAA proceedings to allow for an orderly wind-down of its operations, including all Warehouse One and Bootlegger retail locations,” the business said in a news release.
The Winnipeg-based company intends to return to court in the coming days to seek a further order approving the liquidation of its locations across Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland-Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Yukon.
According to the store locator map on its website, Warehouse One has 13 stores in a dozen Saskatchewan communities.
In a message on its website, Warehouse One said gift cards, returns and exchanges, and the perks’ program will be honoured through May 13. After that date, all sales will be final.
Pursuant to the initial order, the press release states Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. was appointed as the CCAA monitor. Court filings and other information related to the CCAA proceedings will be available on the monitor's website.
The filing notes that on May 15, Warehouse One will seek authorization from the court to commence an orderly liquidation and closure of its retail store locations during the CCAA proceedings.
According to the media release, Warehouse One was established in 1976 and is one of Canada’s largest specialty apparel retailers.
Scott Pell, who has been an employee at the Estevan store for a couple of months, said the news was a surprise to everybody. He recalled he was called in by the manager on his day off May 6 and told the stores were closing.
Pell described Warehouse One as a good job and he had a good experience working for the company.
"My manager, my team, they're fantastic. I love working with them. It's a very good working environment," said Pell.
He has not been told when the store will be closing.
The store's closure has been very sad for him and the other three employees, he said. Customers are also disappointed with the news, he said, because they enjoyed the shopping experience and have been asking when the store is wrapping up operations.
