Christopher & Banks In Bankruptcy, Future Of PA Stores In Doubt

PENNSYLVANIA — Women's retail chain Christopher & Banks has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, becoming the latest retailer to fall victim to steep, coronavirus related reductions in sales. The future of the company's stores 449 stores, including 31 in Pennsylvania, appears to be bleak.

"The company expects to close a significant portion, if not all, of its brick-and-mortar stores and has launched a store closing and liquidation process," a Christopher & Banks news release stated. "The company, however, will continue to operate its business in the ordinary course in the near term."

The company said it is in "active discussions" with potential buyers for the sale of its e-Commerce platform and related assets.

Christopher & Banks becomes the latest retailer to declare bankruptcy and close stores since the outbreak began.

Company CEO Keri Jones said in a statement that since the start of the pandemic, the company has taken aggressive steps to protect the business.

“Despite the tremendous advancements we have made in executing our strategic plan, due to the financial distress resulting from the pandemic and its ongoing impact, we elected to initiate this process and pursue a potential sale of the business in whole or in part to position the company for the future," Jones said.

The chain's Pennsylvania locations are located in:

• Allentown (1)
• Altoona (1)
• Bethlehem (1)
• Butler (1)
• Camp Hill (1)
• Chambersburg (1)
• Cranberry Township (1)
• DuBois (1)
• Erie (1)
• Gettysburg (1)
• Greensburg (1)
• Grove City (1)
• Hazelton (1)
• Hermitage (1)
• Johnstown (1)
• Lancaster (2)
• Monaca (1)
• Monroeville (1)
• Moosic (1)
• Pennsdale (1)
• Pittsburgh (1)
• Pottstown (1)
• Selinsgrove (1)
• State College (1)
• Stroudsburg (1)
• Tarentum ( 1)
• Uniontown (1)
• Washington (1)
• Wyomissing (1)
• York (1)