Claire’s Closing Nearly 300 Stores Nationwide, Including 16 in Illinois
CHICAGO, Illinois — Teen accessories retailer Claire’s will shutter nearly 300 stores across the U.S., including 16 in Illinois, as part of its latest restructuring following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Illinois Stores Set to Close
In a federal court filing, the Hoffman Estates–based company confirmed 291 closures nationwide. Among them, three are in Chicago and several more in the suburbs and downstate communities.
Closing Locations in Illinois:
- Chicago – Pulaski Promenade (4114 S. Pulaski Rd.)
- Chicago – Southport Corridor (3530 N. Southport)
- Chicago – Riverpoint Center (1730 W. Fullerton Ave.)
- Bloomingdale – Bloomingdale Court (320 W. Army Trail Rd.)
- Wheaton – Danada Square (104 Danada Square West)
- Mattoon – Cross Country Mall (700 E. Broadway East)
- Bloomington – Eastland Mall (1603 E. Empire St.)
- Northbrook – Northbrook Court (2742 Northbrook Court)
- Forsyth – Hickory Point Mall (1310 Hickory Point Mall)
- Bolingbrook – The Promenade (623 E. Boughton Rd.)
- Mount Vernon – Times Square Mall (3917 Broadway St.)
- Moline – South Park Mall (4500 16th Street #655)
- Deer Park – Deer Park Town Center (20530 N. Rand Rd.)
- Champaign – Marketplace Mall (2000 N. Neil St.)
- Rockford – Cherryvale Mall (7200 Harrison Ave., Space G-27)
- Fairview Heights – St. Clair Square (248 St. Clair Square)
Bankruptcy and Restructuring
This marks the second bankruptcy for Claire’s since 2018. CEO Chris Cramer acknowledged the closures are painful but necessary, citing:
- Increased competition from online retailers like Amazon, Temu, and Shein
- Declining traffic in U.S. malls
- Debt obligations and shifting consumer spending habits
“This decision is difficult, but a necessary one,” Cramer said in a press release.
What Comes Next for Claire’s
Two weeks after filing for bankruptcy, Claire’s announced an agreement to sell its intellectual property and U.S. operations to private equity firm Ames Watson. While nearly 300 stores will close, the deal could save up to 950 other North American locations.
The closures reflect broader challenges facing mall-based teen retailers. Earlier this year, Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time before closing its U.S. operations entirely.
The closure of 16 Illinois Claire’s stores marks another major retail shakeup for local malls and shopping centers, many of which have struggled to retain national brands.
Stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com for ongoing updates on retail news and business developments across Illinois.