Columbus, Georgia – Renowned brand Salt Life is closing all of its retail stores after recent takeover during bankruptcy processes. The closures affect retailers all over the country, but has specifically noticeable effect in Florida where around half of these locations are found. Purchased for $38.74 million in a joint offer at an auction in September, Iconix International Inc. and Hilco Merchant Resources Inc. bought the brand—which grew to be associated with coastal lifestyle wear.
The decision to close the stores comes after Salt Life’s former owner, Delta Apparel, Inc., based in Duluth, Georgia, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in June. According to the Promotional Products Association Southwest, this file marked a major turning point for the company whose May year-over-year sales had dropped 40%.
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Furthermore, in June the brand stopped manufacturing in Honduras. An SEC report attributed the stop to financial problems and a “significant reduction in demand.” This slump in business also resulted in Delta Apparel’s July delisting from the New York Stock Exchange.
Salt Life grew quickly when four driven watermen from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, launched it in 2003. The brand’s offerings grew to include performance clothes, board shorts, swimwear, eyewear, and other water-related goods in addition to lifestyle wear. Found in surf stores, department stores, athletic goods stores, and online platforms, these items became mainstay among coastal and water sports communities.
Still, the brand also had difficulties outside of financial ones. Troy Hutto, one of its co-founders, killed an 18-year-old woman, which resulted in a 12-year prison term in 2023, which drew more criticism to the brand.
Since Salt Life Food Shack is owned by another company, this liquidation has no bearing on its locations. For those clinging to gift cards, the company has said October 20 will be the last day to use them.
Major liquidation sales with 40% discounts are under progress as the stores get ready to close. The following is a list of locations where Salt Life’s presence will be winding down:
- Alabama: Foley
- California: Huntington Beach and San Clemente
- Delaware: Rehoboth Beach
- Florida: Boca Raton, Daytona Beach, Estero, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Key West, Lutz, Orlando, Palm Beach Gardens, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Sarasota, St. Augustine
- Georgia: Columbus
- New Jersey: Long Branch
- New York: Deer Park and Riverhead
- South Carolina: Bluffton, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach
- Texas: Texas City
- Virginia: Williamsburg
Customers and supporters of Salt Life will have to look elsewhere to get their preferred coastal clothing and accessories after all Salt Life stores close.
