The deal that will see Brown Shoe Company acquire the license for wholesale footwear for the Bass brand from Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. will have far-reaching implications for the storied brand’s hometown in Maine and bring the long-time footwear executive to St Louis.

The exclusive, long-term deal, which will be effective in early February, will cover the design, sourcing and marketing of Bass footwear, including Weejun's and outdoor shoes and boots for men, women and children.

Related to the deal, Diane Sullivan, Vice Chairman of the Phillips-Van Heusen Footwear Group, has joined Brown Shoe Company as president over all operating divisions, including Famous Footwear, Brown Shoe Wholesale and Naturalizer as well as Brown Shoe's marketing worldwide. Prior to P-VH, Sullivan was president and COO of Stride-Rite after a term as VP of product & marketing at Reebok’s Rockport subsidiary.

Bass was founded in 1876 and Brown Shoe was founded just two years later in 1878.

The Portland (Maine) Press Herald is reporting that “most of the 250 employees at the G.H. Bass corporate offices” in South Portland will be laid off following the deal. The paper also said that the company’s shoe distribution center in Wilton, ME is expected to close by mid-2004, affecting an estimated 100 employees there.

The Press Herald piece referenced an internal memo from P-VH management that said, “Unfortunately, the majority of our South Portland-based associates who are dedicated to the wholesale business will be reduced following a transition period. The responsibilities of those associates are being absorbed by Brown within their operations in Missouri.”

The letter also reportedly suggests that Bass may close its South Portland Retail operations as well and move them to New York City, citing the “significant drop in the number of Bass associates”. A decision is expected in “early 2004”. Phillips-Van Heusen is also planning to close about 200 retail outlet stores.