Lamonts Seeking To Close City Store

Pacific Northwest retailer Lamonts Apparel Inc. on Friday filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Lamonts is seeking court approval for closing six unprofitable stores in Vancouver; Everett; Lakewood; Medford, Ore.; Ogden, Utah, and the downtown clearance center in Spokane, the company said.

“Once the court grants permission, Lamonts will prepare the stores for going-out-of-business sales, which should begin Jan. 21,” said Alan Schlesinger, president and chief executive officer.

A new management team was brought on board in the fall to revitalize the chain, which has 48 stores in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. No Montana stores are to be closed.

Foothill Capital Corp. has agreed to provide as much as $32 million debtor-in-possession financing to the Bellevue-based Lamonts.