Major retailer Claire’s is closing multiple Kansas City area locations
Teen and tween fashion retailer Claire’s is closing more than 290 stores as part of its bankruptcy process — including three in the Kansas City area.
Claire’s Holdings LLC announced Aug. 20 that it had sold its North American business operations to private equity firm Ames Watson for $140 million. A court filing Monday included a list of Claire’s and Icing locations that will close.
The closing list includes these Kansas City area stores:
- 5207 W. 117th St. in Leawood
- 8600 Ward Parkway
- 18801 E. 39 St. Suite 1072 in Independence
The following Kansas City area stores are not set to close at this time:
- 11567 W. 95th St. in Overland Park
- 11409 W. 95th St. #44 in Overland Park (Icing)
- 1843 Village West Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas
- 1756 NW Chipman Road in Lee’s Summit
- 7205 NW 86th Terrace
- 109 S. Stewart Road #109 in Liberty
Before the purchase, Claire’s had announced it would shut down more than 1,000 stores. The sale ceased the liquidation process at several stores.
“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,” Chris Cramer, CEO of Claire’s said in a press release about the sale. “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.”
Claire’s began in 1961 in a suburb of Chicago as wig retailer Fashion Tress Industries. In 1973, FTI purchased jewelry store Claire’s Boutiques.
Over the next several decades, the company morphed into an accessory hub for tween girls at malls, selling fuzzy pens, dangly earrings, friendship necklaces and more.
Claire’s closed its spot on the Country Club Plaza in April.