Anchor Blue, a casual apparel retailer with six locations in the Central Valley, began its closing business sale today.

In May, Anchor Blue filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and made the decision to close 46 underperforming stores. Two of the stores closing are located at the Hanford Mall in Hanford and the Manchester Mall in Fresno.

Anchor Blue operates 177 locations in 12 states.

“Anyone who lives near a closing store is encouraged to take advantage of the tremendous values we’re offering on all merchandise during the sale,” said Thomas Sands, the CEO of Anchor Blue Retail Group. The closings and liquidation sales will help the company restructure, Sands said.

The stores are selling inventory up to 40 percent off the normal retail price.

Gordon Brothers Group, a restructuring and investment firm, will be running the store closing sales on behalf of Anchor Blue. According to a press release, Gordon Brothers Group conducts over $50 billion in transactions and appraisals annually.

Information on when the Fresno and Hanford locations would close was not immediately available.