R.I.P. Eddie Bauer: The outdoorsy chain files for bankruptcy

This is sad news. The latest victim of this hella recession, clothing chain Eddie Bauer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday. According to the Associated Press, executives at the struggling retailer made the decision after losing $44.5 million in just the first quarter of this year--they now hope to be sold, rather than liquidated.

How could this happen? Did Land's End win the war of overly useful khaki shorts and personalizeable tote bags? Who will provide the backpacks for hordes of adrift 19-year-olds about to hike the Appalachian Trail? Where will we find the perfect, skirted bathing suit for when we feel fat?
First Linens 'N Things, now this. Our entire childhood mall experience is just crumbling around us. Yet, somehow, Dress Barn remains. What a world.
Source: AP