West Marine stores in Maine among 59 to close nationwide

West Marine, a major retailer specializing in boating, fishing, and watersports equipment, has announced the closure of 59 stores across the country, including several in Maine, following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in May. The closures affect hundreds of jobs, impacting both employees and local communities that relied on these stores for their recreational needs. This move highlights the broader challenges facing specialty retailers as they navigate economic shifts and changing consumer behaviors, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.