Wet Seal To Close 7 Store Locations In Minn., 338 Nationwide

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — Young women's clothing retailer Wet Seal announced Wednesday that 338 of its stores will close nationwide – seven of them being in Minnesota.

The retailer said it decided to close the stores after reviewing its financial condition and failing to negotiate meaningful concessions from landlords.

Wet Seal says the closings -- effective Wednesday – contain about two-thirds of its stores and nearly 3,700 full- and part-time workers are losing their jobs.

"This was a very difficult decision to make, but after reviewing many other options since I returned to the company in September, our financial condition leaves us no other alternative than to close these stores," CEO Ed Thomas said in a statement issued Wednesday.

The closings have resulted in reported outrage with many of its former workers. Protest signs have been posted in Seattle that claim unused vacation and sick time have been unpaid, employees were given one-day notice to find new jobs and no transfers to open stores -- among other complaints. It's also going viral on social media, with hashtags #BoycottWetSeal and #ForgetWetSeal trending.

The six locations closing in Minnesota include Rosedale Mall in Roseville, Maplewood Mall, Southdale Mall in Edina, Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Burnsville Center, Miller Hill Mall in Duluth and Apache Mall in Rochester.

The Mall of America and The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove locations will remain open.

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