Claire’s stores closing: See list of likely doomed locations as tween retailer files for second bankruptcy

Claire’s, the fashion and accessories retailer that has been a staple of American malls for decades, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time.

The retail chain, aimed at the teen and tween market, has been struggling with the same headwinds faced by many brick-and-mortar businesses, including the broader shift to online shopping, increased competition, rising prices, and an unsustainable debt load.

In a press release on Wednesday, parent company Claire’s Holdings LLC said it will use the Chapter 11 process to “maximize the value” of its business. That includes exploring a potential sale.

“We remain in active discussions with potential strategic and financial partners and are committed to completing our review of strategic alternatives,” Claire’s CEO Chris Cramer said in a statement.

Which Claire’s stores are closing?

While Claire’s said its North American stores will remain open as part of the Chapter 11 process, it’s likely that many will not survive.

In fact, in a bankruptcy court filing, Claire’s says it has already reviewed its lease portfolio and decided that some stores “should be exited,” and says some of those will close regardless of whether Claire’s finds a buyer.

The filing identifies 18 “initial” locations across numerous states that are likely begin store closing sales soon, if they haven’t already:

• Market Street at Lynnfield Claire’s Lynnfield Massachusetts
• Woodinville Plaza Claire’s Woodinville Washington
• Galleria at Tyler-ICG Icing Riverside California
• Provo Town Center Claire’s Provo Utah
• Newpark Mall Claire’s Newark California
• Shops at Highland Village Claire’s Highland Village Texas
• Mall of Abilene (ICG) Icing Abilene Texas
• 8456 Greece Ridge (ICG) Icing Rochester New York
• Pinnacle at Turkey Creek Claire’s Knoxville Tennessee
• Union Town Mall Claire’s UnionTown Pennsylvania
• Ford City Mall Claire’s Chicago Illinois
• Northtown Mall Claire’s Blaine Minnesota
• Bay City Town Center Claire’s Bay City Michigan
• Eastdale Mall Claire’s Montgomery Alabama
• Junction Commons Claire’s Park City Utah
• University Orem (ICG) Icing Orem Utah
• Woodland Mall (ICG) Icing Grand Rapids Michigan
• Livingston Mall Claire’s Livingston New Jersey

Based on an agreement reached on July 24, sales at the initial locations were expected to begin immediately and conclude no later than September 7. Claire’s says it has retained Hilco Merchant Resources to act as its liquidation agent to facilitate the store closings. Fast Company reached out to Hilco for additional comment.

The filing also identifies additional stores that are expected to be added to the closing list as part of Claire’s liquidation agreement. The list includes 1,326 locations that could be closed by October 31 unless Claire’s is unable to find a buyer.

Reached for comment, a spokesperson for Claire’s referred Fast Company to Wednesday’s press release but did not comment on a more specific timeline for store closures or whether additional stores will be added to the list.

This story is developing…