Leslie's Inc., which bills itself as the country's largest direct-to-consumer retailer of pool and spa supplies, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 2, 2026, as part of a restructuring plan the company says will erase about 90% of its roughly $685 million in funded debt.
What's closing, and what isn't
The filing covers a plan to close 76 of the chain's stores, a fraction of its national footprint. Leslie's says every other store will stay open and fully staffed throughout the process, and that the company intends to keep operating as normal while it works through the bankruptcy court.
- 76 stores are closing as part of the restructuring
- Remaining locations continue normal operations
- Gift cards and loyalty program balances will be honored
- Employees continue to receive regular wages and benefits during the case
Leslie's is here to stay, and I am deeply grateful to our employees, customers, and partners for their continued support through this process.
Why it's happening now
The restructuring is aimed squarely at the company's balance sheet rather than a liquidation. Leslie's says the plan will cut roughly $685 million in funded debt, trimming about 90% of what it currently owes, and is designed to let the chain emerge from bankruptcy court in early 2027 with a lighter debt load.
What it means for customers
For most shoppers, the day-to-day experience shouldn't change: open stores keep selling pool chemicals, equipment, and services, and existing promotions and rewards continue to apply. Anyone who shops at one of the 76 locations slated to close should expect to be routed to the nearest remaining store as closing sales wind down, though Leslie's has not published a store-by-store closing schedule.
If you shop at Leslie's
Gift cards and Leslie's Pool Perks rewards remain valid during the bankruptcy process, according to the company. If your local store is on the closure list, expect clearance pricing before it shuts and a push toward the nearest open location.
