Danbury Store To Close As National Retailer Files For Bankruptcy

DANBURY, CT — Four Express stores in Connecticut — including one in Danbury — are to close as the clothing retailer begins bankruptcy proceedings.

Express and its subsidiaries announced a voluntary Chapter 11 filing out of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware Tuesday to "facilitate" a sale process. Also on Tuesday, the Ohio-based company said it has received a non-binding letter of intent from a consortium led by WHP Global and participants including a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties for the potential sale of a substantial majority of the Company’s retail stores and operations.

Meanwhile, 95 stores will close nationwide, including Connecticut locations at:

• The Buckland Hills mall, 194 Buckland Hills Drive, in Manchester
• 125 West Main St. in Westport
• 181 Greenwich Ave.
• Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Ave., in Danbury

Closing signs were not up at the Manchester store, but a sale of 40 percent off was posted in several locations. Staffers answering phones at the Manchester and Greenwich stores estimated closures will take effect about 60 days from the end of this week.

In a bankruptcy filing summary, Express officials said the company has received a commitment for $35 million in new financing from "certain of its existing lenders," subject to court approval. Additionally, on April 15, the Company received $49 million in cash from the Internal Revenue Service related to the CARES Act, according to the summary.

Express officials said stores are in "business-as-usual" mode as the company works "to right-size its lease portfolio and operations."

Added Express CEO said Stewart Glendinning, "We continue to make meaningful progress refining our product assortments, driving demand, connecting with customers and strengthening our operations. We are taking an important step that will strengthen our financial position and enable Express to continue advancing our business initiatives. WHP has been a strong partner to the Company since 2023, and the proposed transaction will provide us additional financial resources, better position the business for profitable growth and maximize value for our stakeholders.”

Express also has Connecticut stores in:

• Trumbull
• Milford
• Clinton
• Mashantucket
• Farmington