Brick’s West Marine Store Survives Closures, Toms River Store to Shut Down

The West Marine store in Brick, N.J. (File Photo)

Boating supply retailer West Marine announced Tuesday that it would close 59 stores across the United States, including one in Toms River.

The company, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., current operates 247 stores across the nation. Its two “flagship” stores are located in Fort Lauderdale and Brick Township. The larger, newer Brick Township store will remain open, however the Toms River location on 213 Route 37 (East) was among three in the state that will shut its doors. The Toms River location is positioned in the shopping center that was once anchored by K-Mart and Pizza Hut, and is now home to Floor & Decor as its anchor.

West Marine filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month and announced its 59 locations slated for closure this week. Stores in Eatontown and Cape May will also close. The Brick Township store, located as an out-parcel of the shopping center that houses Best Buy and Ross at the intersection of Route 70 and Chambers Bridge Road, will remain open. The Brick store was touted as the chain’s second “flagship” store when it was custom-built to replace a much smaller store it had previously operated in Brick off Cedar Bridge Avenue.

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“After productive discussions with key advisors, we’ve reached an agreement to pursue a strategic reorganization that will address our capital structure while maximizing value for all our stakeholders,” West Marine said in a statement issued Tuesday.

The West Marine store in Toms River, N.J. (File Photo)

The company blamed supply chain disruptions and competition from digital sales platforms for its financial troubles, as well as some extreme weather events that affected locations in coastal areas. The exact date of the closures was not announced, however the store’s management said in a statement that the bankruptcy period would be quick, with plans for the firm to emerge out of protection in August assuming its debt can be restructured.