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Eddie Bauer is closing its Fig Garden store amid a companywide shutdown of 175 locations.GW School Supply isclose its Blackstone store Feb. 25; Belmont and Bakersfield remain openBoth will keep online sales; Eddie Bauer cited declining sales; GW’s didn’t give reason
Two popular central Fresno stores are closing their doors.
One is Eddie Bauer, the national outdoor clothing store in Fig Garden Village. The other is locally owned GW School Supply’s Blackstone location.
Here’s what we know about why each store is closing and when.
Why is Eddie Bauer in Fig Garden Village closing? A large store closing sign hangs in front of the Eddie Bauer store in Fig Garden Village on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. The outdoor clothing brand located near Williams-Sonoma and Anthropologie is closing all its stores after filing for bankruptcy. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
The store has been selling activewear and outdoor gear in the center between Anthropologie and Williams-Sonoma for well over two decades.
The operator of the stores in the United States and Canada is closing all 175 locations — unless a buyer can be found.
It filed for bankruptcy earlier this month.
The company blamed declining sales and supply chain challenges in a news release. Its financial problems were worsened by inflation and uncertainty stemming from the Trump administration’s tariffs, the statement said.
The store in Fig Garden is expected to close before the end of April.
The Eddie Bauer brand, the manufacturing of its products and its online sales will continue, along with stores outside North America.
GW School Supply closing Blackstone Avenue store GW School Supply is closing its Blackstone Avenue store, located near Barstow Avenue. Its Belmont Avenue and Bakersfield stores will remain open selling educational supplies. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Another longtime retailer, GW School Supply, is closing its store on Blackstone Avenue near Barstow Avenue. It will close Feb. 25.
The store at Belmont and Clovis avenues in Fresno and the Bakersfield store will remain open.
For years, GW School Supply has sold educational supplies, such as paper for bulletin boards and other classroom supplies, puzzles and educational toys. It was a favorite of teachers, parents who homeschooled their children and others.
The store has been in the shopping center since 2001, moving there from a location at Palm and Shaw avenues. GW School Supply once had 10 locations statewide.
Employees did not return messages seeking comment about why it’s closing.
A note on its Facebook page reads, in part: “To Our Loyal Customers: We want to sincerely thank you for your loyalty and support over the years. … We truly appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you again soon.”
The business will continue to sell its products online at gwschoolcatalog.com.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM.
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Bethany Clough covers restaurants and retail for The Fresno Bee. A reporter for more than 20 years, she now works to answer readers’ questions about business openings, closings and other business news. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse University and her last name is pronounced Cluff.