West Marine files for bankruptcy, plans to close 5 WA stores

West Marine’s Chapter 11 filing and the planned closure of five Washington stores show a retailer using bankruptcy to shrink its footprint while continuing operations elsewhere. The company filed on May 17, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and said its roughly 200 stores would keep operating during restructuring, even as it lines up closures.

What happened

West Marine said it entered Chapter 11 with support from most of its key financial stakeholders, including 96.2% of term loan lenders, 100% of FILO lenders, and 93.9% of equity holders. Court filings and reports say the company plans to close 59 stores nationwide, including five in Washington state.

Washington stores affected

The Washington locations identified in reports are Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Port Townsend, and Spokane. The Seattle Times also reported that the company will hold closing sales at affected stores before they shut down.

Why it filed

West Marine cited supply-chain disruptions, severe weather, and changing consumer buying patterns as factors behind the bankruptcy. Other reports say the restructuring is intended to reduce debt and stabilize operations rather than liquidate the business.

Creditor angle

For readers in credit and collections, the filing is notable because court papers list several sizable unsecured trade creditors, led by Garmin International at $8.57 million, followed by Virtual Supply, Sierra International, and East Penn Manufacturing. Those claims will be handled through the bankruptcy process, while post-filing vendors are expected to be paid under ordinary Chapter 11 rules.

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West Marine files for bankruptcy, plans to close 5 Washington stores

West Marine has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to close five stores in Washington as part of a broader restructuring that will eliminate 59 locations nationwide. The boating retailer said the filing is designed to reduce debt and reposition the company, while keeping its remaining stores, website, and app open during the process.

The Washington closures include locations in Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Port Townsend, and Spokane. West Marine said closing stores will hold sales before their final days of operation, according to reports.

In court filings, the company said it entered bankruptcy with strong support from its lenders and equity holders, suggesting a prearranged restructuring rather than a liquidation. West Marine also pointed to supply-chain problems, severe weather, and shifting consumer demand as factors contributing to its financial distress.

For trade creditors, the case underscores how Chapter 11 can reshape payment expectations even when a company remains open. Court documents list Garmin International as West Marine’s largest unsecured creditor, with claims also owed to Virtual Supply, Sierra International, East Penn Manufacturing, and other suppliers.

West Marine’s move reflects a familiar retail playbook: use bankruptcy to shed underperforming stores, preserve the core business, and negotiate a path forward with creditors.