All Ricki's, Cleo clothing stores closing in B.C. as company files for creditor protection

It's a tough start to 2025 for Canadian retailers, as Bootlegger, Ricki's, Cleo and Frank and Oak file for creditor protection. Read more.

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Published Jan 08, 2025  •  Last updated 4 minutes ago  •  1 minute read

Frank and Oak on Robson Street. Photo by JANIS NICOLAY

B.C.’s shopping landscape may look a lot different this year.

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Amid a sluggish start to 2025, several Canadian clothing retailers have announced plans for store closures and restructuring.

Comark Holdings Inc. the company behind longtime apparel outposts Bootlegger, Ricki’s and Cleo has reportedly filed court applications for creditor protections.

All 75 Ricki’s stores and 54 Cleo stores across the country will be shuttered, according to The Canadian Press. The Ricki’s website lists 12 locations, spanning Vancouver Island to Prince George, currently operating in B.C.

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Comark also operates 20 combined Ricki’s/Cleo locations and approximately 19 sites split with Bootlegger, which includes 53 stand-alone shops. The court filings note plans to close some Bootlegger stores in the future, as well.

Montreal-based UCG Canada Holdings Inc., the company behind the contemporary men’s and women’s brand Frank and Oak has made similar court protection applications. The clothing brand boasts 15 stores across Canada, including two stores in B.C.’s Gastown and Kitsilano neighbourhoods.

Echoing Comark’s claims that business was unable to recover following the global pandemic, UCG Canada Holdings Inc. plans to restructure the business surrounding the men’s and womenswear brand.

The Bellissima store in Southcentre in Calgary. Photo by Bellissima Fashions /PNG

The latest news adds to an increasingly tumultuous retail story in Canada that’s included the planned closure of five Toys “R” Us stores in Ontario, the closure of some of The Body Shop Canada stores, and the closure of Calgary-headquartered women’s fashion retailer Bellissima.

A statement on the company’s website notes Bellissima is currently closed for business. Founded in 1981, the online statement remarks there’s hope it will “return at some point in the future.”

-With files from The Canadian Press.

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