Eddie Bauer Inc. (Redmond, Wash.) has emerged from the Chapter 11 reorganization process of Spiegel Inc. (Downers Grove, Ill.), as a newly formed parent company, Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. It’s the first time in 35 years that the specialty retailer will function as a fully independent company. It had been a wholly owned subsidiary of Spiegel, which filed for bankruptcy in March 2003.
“We are extremely excited about our new status as a standalone company,” said president and ceo Fabian Mansson. “The entire Eddie Bauer team worked hard during the Spiegel bankruptcy to build a strong platform for the future. We streamlined operations, recruited new talent to strengthen the team, and renewed our commitment to providing quality apparel and accessories that reflect a modern outdoor lifestyle.”
The process will leave the 85-year-old company with more than 400 stores across the U.S. and Canada as well as joint venture partnerships in Japan and Germany.