In a change of plans, Claire’s will continue to operate several Lehigh Valley stores following a bankruptcy filing and closing sales.
The ear piercing and accessories chain has revised its list of stores that will remain open, according to an Aug. 25 bankruptcy court document.
The stores at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township and Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township are on the list of nonclosing stores. The location at Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township remains on the closing list.
Employees from the Lehigh Valley Mall and Promenade locations confirmed they would remain open. The Palmer Park Mall location couldn’t be reached Sunday.
The updated list doesn’t prevent Claire’s from redesignating any store as closing or nonclosing, the court document added.
The decision follows an agreement Aug. 20 that private holding company Ames Watson will take over some of Claire’s operations in North America, though that agreements remains subject to court approval.
“As we continue through our restructuring proceedings, our team has worked tirelessly to explore every option for preserving the value of the Claire’s business and brand,” Claire’s CEO Chris Cramer said in a news release announcing the agreement. “We are glad to reach this definitive agreement to sell a portion of our North America operations to Ames Watson and maximize the value of our company for all our stakeholders. I would again like to extend my gratitude to every Claire’s employee who has continued to show up for our customers during this challenging time for our business.”
In the same release, Ames Watson co-founder Lawrence Berger said, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Claire’s and support the next chapter for this iconic brand. Claire’s has built a powerful emotional connection with generations of consumers through its focus on self-expression, creativity, and accessible fashion. We are committed to investing in its future by preserving a significant retail footprint across North America, working closely with the Claire’s team to ensure a seamless transition and creating a renewed path to growth based on our deep experience working with consumer brands.”
The Claire’s bankruptcy filing in early August was the second since 2018 for Claire’s, which was founded in 1974 and operates more than 2,750 location in North America and Europe.
