Gymboree Closings: Four Oregon Stores On The List

Gymboree Corporation announced this week that it will close 350 stores nationwide, including four locations in Oregon, after filing voluntary Chapter 11 petitions with the United States Bankruptcy Court. According to the company's website, the restructuring is an attempt to ensure the business's future. The Janie and Jack and Crazy 8 brands owned by the company are also affected by the closures.

The Gymboree Corporation closures follow those of other large retailers this year, which includes Macy's, Sears, JCPenney, Payless, and Radio Shack.

"Today's announcement represents the next step in the Company's court-supervised financial restructuring as we work to more strongly position the business for long-term growth and success," Gymboree President and CEO Daniel Griesemer said in a statement. "Right-sizing our store footprint is a central part of our efforts to ensure Gymboree emerges from this restructuring process as a stronger and more competitive organization, with greater financial flexibility to invest in our future.

"Importantly, we will continue to operate a majority of our stores and will continue to deliver quality merchandise and superior service to our customers at our Gymboree, Janie and Jack and Crazy 8 brands," he continued. "This was a difficult decision to make, but we are confident that it is in the best long-term interest of our company, our customers and our broader employee base. I am deeply grateful to our team, their exceptional ongoing dedication and their focus on continuing to put our customers at the center of all we do."

According to Gymboree Corporation, these three Oregon Gymboree locations will be closed:

• Clackamas Town Center: 12000 S.E. 82nd Ave., #B105 in Happy Valley;
• Valley River Center: 270 Valley River Center in Eugene; and
• Rogue Valley Mall: 1600 N. Riverside Ave. in Medford.

Crazy 8 location:

• Streets of Tanasbourne: 2205 N.W. Allie Ave. in Hillsboro.

Oregon's single Jack and Janie location, at the Woodburn Premium Outlets, will remain open.

The company says closing sales at affected stores will begin on July 18.

Original story by Autumn Johnson (Patch National Staff)

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch