CALIFORNIA – Claire’s Holdings, the jewelry and fashion accessories retailer for tweens, teens and young women filed for bankruptcy and plans to close 291 Claire’s and Icing stores nationwide, including 23 in California.
The company, which filed for Chapter 11 earlier this month, is $690 million in debt.
Claire’s Holdings reached an agreement with Ames Watson, a private equity firm, to acquire its North American business operations.
Ames Watson will continue to operate the remaining 830 stores, according to court documents, paying $104 million in cash, plus a $36 million seller note for the assets.
Claire’s said it has paused the liquidation process at a significant number of stores. For other stores in North America, liquidation will continue.
Increased competition and shift from brick-and-mortar retail
Claire’s CEO Chris Cramer said the decision to file bankruptcy was difficult but a necessary one.
“Increased competition, consumer spending trends, and the ongoing shift away from brick-and-mortar retail, in combination with our current debt obligations and macroeconomic factors, necessitate this course of action for Claire’s and its stakeholders,” said Cramer.
Claire’s previously filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
In the recent court filing, the company said the Ames Watson sale “will preserve thousands of jobs, provide continued business to many of the debtors’ vendors and landlords, and will allow the Claire’s brand to remain a prominent retailer for teens, tweens, and young girls around the world.”
Ames Watson’s portfolio includes Champion Teamwear and Lids.
List of store closures
Claire’s website notes a 50% off store closing sale at select locations. Gift cards and C. Club Rewards can still be redeemed in select store locations through Aug. 29, 2025.
Stores are listed for closure include:
Claire’s
The Collection At Riverpark
540 Towne Center Rd #6230, Oxnard
Bay Street
5637 Bay Street, Emeryville
Rancho Cordova Town Center
10905 Olson Drive, Rancho Cordova
Valley Fair Mall
2855 Stevensons Creek Blvd, San Jose
Fashion Island
1021 Newport Ctr Drive #A150, Newport Beach
District At Tustin Legacy
2421 Park Avenue #312, Tustin
Grossmont Shopping Center
5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Drive #109, City Of Commerce
Imperial Valley Mall
3451 S Dogwood Avenue #152B, El Centro
Sunrise Mall
6076 Sunrise Mall, Citrus Heights
Tulare Outlet Center
1405 Retherford Street, Tulare
The Pike Outlets
25 Bay Street Building C, Long Beach
Rancho Santa Margarita
30606 Santa Margarita Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita
Lake Arrowhead Village
P.O. Box 3238, Lake Arrowhead
Barstow Outlet Center
2796 Tanger Way #325, Barstow
San Dimas Marketplace
830B West Arrow Highway #11, San Dimas
Murrieta Town Center
40477 Murrieta Hot Springs, Murrieta
863 Broadway
2314 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda
Gateway Marketplace
555 Broadway Ste 1054, Chula Vista
Vintage Oaks
120 Vintage Way, Novato
Icing
Lakewood Center
100 Lakewood Center, Lakewood
Antelope Valley Mall
1233 West Avenue P #123, Palmdale
Culver City Mall
6000 Sepulveda Blvd Suite 2561, Culver City
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