Is Gordmans Still in Business? The Retail Resurrection You Need to Know About

No, Gordmans, as you might remember it, is no longer in business. The department store chain, known for its off-price clothing, home decor, and other merchandise, filed for bankruptcy in 2017. However, the story doesn’t end there. Hold onto your hats, retail enthusiasts, because this is where it gets interesting. While the original Gordmans footprint vanished, its spirit, and more importantly, its brand, were acquired by Stage Stores, who then integrated Gordmans into their own store network. Then, Stage Stores ALSO filed for bankruptcy in 2020. But the brand was acquired again, and it’s back!

The Gordmans Saga: A Retail Rollercoaster

Gordmans’ history is a testament to the ever-shifting sands of the retail world. Founded in 1915 as a clothing store in Omaha, Nebraska, it evolved into a beloved off-price retailer. Before its initial bankruptcy, Gordmans operated over 100 stores across 22 states, offering bargain-hunters a treasure trove of discounted goods. The chain carved a niche for itself by providing national brands at significantly reduced prices.

The First Fall: 2017 Bankruptcy

Despite its popularity, Gordmans succumbed to the pressures that plagued many brick-and-mortar retailers: increased competition from online retailers, changing consumer preferences, and hefty debt loads. The bankruptcy filing in 2017 led to the liquidation of the company and the closure of all Gordmans stores. This marked the apparent end of an era for those who loved the thrill of the hunt for hidden gems within its aisles.

Stage Stores to the Rescue (Initially)

Enter Stage Stores. In a surprising turn of events, Stage Stores, which operated department store chains like Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles, and Stage, acquired the Gordmans brand and some of its assets. The strategy was bold: convert existing Stage Stores locations into Gordmans stores. This allowed Stage Stores to expand its off-price presence and leverage the Gordmans name recognition.

A Temporary Transformation: Gordmans Under Stage Stores

For a brief period, Gordmans experienced a sort of resurrection. Hundreds of Stage Stores were rebranded as Gordmans, bringing the familiar off-price shopping experience back to many communities. Shoppers could once again browse racks of discounted clothing, peruse shelves of home goods, and enjoy the thrill of finding a great deal.

The Second Setback: Stage Stores Bankruptcy in 2020

However, the retail gods are fickle. Just a few years after acquiring Gordmans, Stage Stores itself filed for bankruptcy in 2020, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn. This led to another round of store closures and uncertainty for the Gordmans brand, once again placing its future in jeopardy. This seemed to be the death knell.

The RE-Resurrection: Where is Gordmans Now?

But wait! The story doesn’t end there. In 2020, Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV), the company known for acquiring distressed retail brands, bought the Gordmans name and related intellectual property. Since then, REV has launched an online version of Gordmans, Gordmans.com, allowing customers to shop for the same types of merchandise they found in the physical stores, but from the comfort of their homes. As of late 2024, the site is live and operating.

While the physical stores are gone, the Gordmans brand lives on online, offering a digital shopping experience for those who miss the thrill of the hunt. While it is not the same as the in-person experience, the online store carries on the legacy of the department store.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gordmans

1. When did Gordmans originally close its stores?

Gordmans initially closed its stores after filing for bankruptcy in 2017. This was before the brand was acquired by Stage Stores and then subsequently by Retail Ecommerce Ventures.

2. Why did Gordmans go out of business the first time?

The initial bankruptcy was attributed to several factors, including increasing competition from online retailers, changing consumer preferences, heavy debt, and the overall challenging environment for brick-and-mortar department stores.

3. Did Stage Stores save Gordmans?

Stage Stores temporarily revived the Gordmans brand by converting many of their existing department stores into Gordmans locations. However, Stage Stores itself later filed for bankruptcy, leading to further store closures.

4. What happened to the Gordmans stores that were converted from Stage Stores?

When Stage Stores filed for bankruptcy, all of their stores, including the ones that had been converted to Gordmans, were closed.

5. Is there a Gordmans store near me?

Unfortunately, no physical Gordmans stores currently exist. The brand operates solely as an online retailer.

6. Can I still shop at Gordmans?

Yes, you can shop at Gordmans online at Gordmans.com. The website offers a variety of apparel, home goods, and other merchandise.

7. Who owns Gordmans now?

Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV) owns the Gordmans brand and operates the online store. REV is known for acquiring and revitalizing distressed retail brands.

8. What type of products can I find on Gordmans.com?

Gordmans.com offers a similar selection of merchandise as the original brick-and-mortar stores, including clothing for men, women, and children, shoes, accessories, home decor, beauty products, and more. It focuses on providing discounted prices on brand-name items.

9. Is the online shopping experience the same as shopping in a physical Gordmans store?

While Gordmans.com aims to recreate the thrill of the hunt for bargains, the online experience is different from browsing the aisles of a physical store. You can search for specific items and browse categories, but you won’t have the same serendipitous discovery experience.

10. Does Gordmans offer free shipping?

Gordmans.com offers free shipping on orders that meet a certain minimum purchase amount. Check the website for the current free shipping threshold.

11. What is the return policy for Gordmans.com?

Gordmans.com typically has a standard return policy, allowing customers to return items within a specified timeframe for a refund or exchange. Be sure to review the return policy on the website before making a purchase.

12. Will Gordmans ever reopen physical stores?

As of now, there are no confirmed plans to reopen physical Gordmans stores. Retail Ecommerce Ventures is primarily focused on operating the brand as an online retailer. However, in the ever-evolving world of retail, nothing is impossible, but for now, it’s an online-only experience.