For tweens and teens obsessed with sparkle, Claire's is (or was) the spot.
As a teenage girl in the late 1990s, it was the go-to for the coolest hair clips, sparkly purses and all things that glitter. Even as a 30-something Millennial adult with a continued affinity for all things that glitter, it's where I found my favorite pair of glittery heart sunglasses that I wore without shame until they broke — then I ordered another pair.
But Claire's Holdings LLC, which operates both Claire's and Icing stores across the U.S., will close nearly 300 stores nationwide amid ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
That includes three locations in Hawai‘i, according to court documents filed in late August: Claire's at Kukui Grove Center in Līhu‘e and two Icing stores in Pearlridge Center.
The following Claire's stores across the Islands will remain open:
O‘ahu
- Ka Makana Ali‘i in Kapolei
- Kāhala Mall and Ala Moana Center in Honolulu
- Pearlridge Center in ‘Aiea
- Windward Mall in Kāne‘ohe
Hawai‘i Island
- Queens' Marketplace in Waikoloa
- Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo
Maui
- Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului
The Icing store at Prince Kūhiō Plaza is also on the list of stores that will remain open.
In early August, Claire's Holdings LLC began voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings "to maximize the value of its business."
An Aug. 6 article from Reuters noted that this is the company's "second bankruptcy filing after 2018." The company initially planned "to close hundreds of stores and find a buyer for about 800 remaining locations."
"The U.S.-based company has $690 million in debt, and it has suffered in recent years from increased competition, high rent costs, and new tariffs on imports from supplier nations like China, Thailand and Vietnam, according to documents filed with the U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware," Reuters wrote.
On Aug. 20, the company announced it has entered into an agreement for private holding company Ames Watson to acquire Claire's business operations in North America. As part of that agreement, Claire's "paused the liquidation process at a significant number of stores."
Founded in 1974, there are more than 2,750 Claire's stores in 17 countries throughout North America and Europe, and 190 Icing stores in North America.
More information about the company's restructuring can be found here.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
