Filene's Basement Bankrupt... Again

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Filene's Basement Bankrupt... Again

DressLover

Veteran

Looks like Filene's Basement is going to close its doors after filing bankruptcy a third time.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/.....90867.html

14 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

kimlee

Veteran

I hate to see any business close its doors. But if a company is going thru bankruptcy for a third time, one has to question the actions of the leaders running the company.

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I'll miss Filene's Basement - I've gotten some amazing deals there - although it's been going downhill since the original Automatic Markdown basement closed in Boston several years ago. Still, I'm sorry to see them go.

Also, I guess this means that the huge hole in the ground in Downtown Crossing, Boston where the original FB used to be will remain there for even longer. Ugh.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Well, as someone who grew up shopping at the original downtown Filene's Basement (yanking shoes out of the shoe bins - some of those little old ladies could get pretty aggro!) and at the Filene's department store, this makes me sad - it's the passing of an era. But the FB chain? *shrug*

14 years ago

HelenInCanada

Veteran

How awful for the employees. I read in one of the bankruptcy articles that customers had been complaining about the "ugly" selection since Syms took it over in 2010. Wonder why they didn't retain the original Filene's buyers? We don't have FB here in Canada - and I've never shopped in one in the US - but I've seen it on "What Not To Wear" (the makeover shopping bits). I understand it had all designer names & the infamous Bridal Gown run! Always sad when a long-running business folds.

14 years ago

Heather

Veteran

Awww, no more Running of the Brides?

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I've never shopped at a FB, but I know my heart would break if TJ Maxx / Marshall's went under.

Helen, your point about the selection is so spot- on, though; in the end, if the business model doesn't earn money, then the business should fail. It will just leave market share open for a more successful model.

14 years ago

Banana

Active Member

This makes me a little sad. I grew up shopping at FB and even bought my wedding gown there. One of my favorite memories is my sweet, mild mannered mother yanking dresses away from other people while I stood there like a deer in the headlights! I hope they figure out something for that eyesore in Downtown Crossing soon.

14 years ago

judy

Veteran

Una, my grandmother was one of those old ladies shopping at the downtown Filene's Basement!...in the late fifties and early sixties. That's probably before your time. I remember being very small and gazing up at these women stripped down to their undies to try on...maybe it was wedding dresses?? (NO dressing rooms!) Ha ha..the end of an era indeed. I think we ate at Schraft's after shopping, or Baileys for hot fudge sundaes! It seemed like it was the first bargain type store.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

If TJ Maxx (Winners in Canada) went under; I'd run around naked.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Baileys! Ever have ice cream at Cabot's? We used to go to Brigham's... I came a little later, but I do remember those strip-downs. And there was a big scandal around the time I was in law school when Justice Ruth Abrams was accused of having switched a price tag (those color coded ones) on a wallet. Sigh - the good old days.

14 years ago

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