West Marine closing Long Island location as chain shuts 59 stores nationwide

The West Marine in Port Washington is on its way out.

An employee at the store confirmed the location is in “liquidation mode.” Though no official closing date has been announced, another employee estimated the store wouldn’t officially close its doors until September.

The Port Washington location is one of 59 West Marine stores closing across the country as the boating and marine supply chain restructures under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

It’s the only Long Island West Marine store on the chopping block, for now.

The chain’s four other Long Island locations — in Patchogue, Riverhead, Huntington and West Islip — are not on the closure list.

West Marine filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, saying the move would allow it to keep operating during a restructuring. Court documents show the company plans to close 59 locations as part of that process.

In a statement, the company said: “West Marine is closing select retail locations as part of its ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring. This decision reflects our effort to align our store footprint with our current business needs, while continuing to evaluate our portfolio in coordination with landlords.”

West Marine, founded in 1968, had grown to more than 200 stores across 34 states.

The company said it will support crew members impacted by the closures but did not immediately provide additional details. No official closing dates for individual locations have been announced.

Washington (5)

• Bellingham
• Bremerton
• Everett
• Port Townsend
• Spokane

Wisconsin (1)

• Greenfield (Milwaukee)

_{Top: West Marine in West Islip (GLI file photo)}