Wet Seal Closing at Natick Mall

Wet Seal is closing is location in the Natick Mall. The store was practically empty on Monday, Jan. 5.

Store employees were given almost no warning of the closing, said one employee who contacted Framingham Patch.

Across the country, several Wet Seal stores are closing. Employees, across the country have started a social media campaign against Wet Seal to complain about the abrupt closing. Some employees have even posted signs against their former employer in store front windows, but management had them removed. Many appear on Twitter.

Editor’s note: a screen shot of some of the Twitter photos is attached to this report.

The retail company, founded in 1962, sells fashion, accessories, and shoes for women. However, the retailer popular with teens and college students is struggling financially.

Last month, the retailer said there was “substantial doubt” it could continue operating, Bloomberg.com reported.

Wet Seal said last week that it had received a default notice on $27 million in debt. The company’s creditor has given Wet Seal until Jan. 12 to pay what it owes, reported Bloomberg.com.

Natick employees were told of the closing on Friday. Natick store employees were not the only ones across the country given such short notice.

Nationwide, employees took to Twitter to protest the layoffs. Employees have been Tweeting #ForgetWetSeal and #BoycottWetSeal to complain about the abrupt loss of their jobs.

One person from Ohio Tweeted Wet Seal ”Took away all of our benefits including sick time and vacation which we worked for, and were told we would receive. Btw, NO SEVERANCE PAY!”

Wet Seal, is part of California-based Foothill Ranch Company.