Rockport Company Could Shut Down Newton Headquarters

NEWTON, MA – The Rockport Company LLC has submitted a state notice that it is shutting down its Newton headquarters and could layoff nearly 150 employees.

In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) notice filed on May 9, the shoe company indicated it plans on laying off 148 employees sometime between July 8 and July 22.

Patch reached out to Rockport’s press and public relations office. They did not return messages from Patch seeking comment.

The Boston Globe reported that the entire office could be closed, and all of the employees at the headquarters, located at 1220 Washington St., may be affected.

President of the Charles River Regional Chamber, Greg Reibman, said he was saddened by the news of the filing.

“They're a [Charles River Regional] Chamber member and I was sad to hear the news that they might be contemplating leaving Newton,” Reibman said.

When asked for insight on why the company would submit a WARN notice, Reibman said he has not spoken with the company and does not know any specifics.

The company was founded in Marlborough, Massachusetts in 1971 by Saul L. Katz and his son, Bruce R. Katz. The business was acquired by Reebok in 1986 and was sold thirty years later in 2015. The Rockport Company moved to its Newton home in 2017, before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018.