A slew of young kids have fond memories of buying magnetic friendship necklaces with their BFFs, fawning over multi-colored notebooks, or clenching that stuffed teddy bear tight as they got their ears pierced for the very first time. The shoppers, some of whom are self-described glitter pen users, are now mourning this part of their childhood, as Claire’s prepares to close nearly 300 stores across the United States.
Claire’s Holdings LLC announced this month that it sold its North American business to private equity firm Ames Watson for $104 million. As a result, 291 stores will close, as outlined in an Aug. 25 court filing.
The closing shops include 235 Claire’s locations and 56 Icing stores, the latter of which is classified as a “grown-up” version of Claire’s.
“This has been my favorite, favorite store growing up,” TikTok user Erika Angel said in an Aug. 14 video as she visits a Claire’s with two friends. “I have so many memories, and I hate that if I have a daughter, she’s not going to be able to shop at Claire’s. It shaped me into the diva I am today. Little me is crying.”
The closures come after Claire’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 6.
Claire’s set to close over 290 stores: See the list and map.
‘Literally my favorite store to come to’
Several content creators have taken to social media to share their final Claire’s walkthroughs or favorite memories at the retailer.
In a TikTok video earlier this month, creator Angelina PJ recalled buying friendship necklaces in primary school for each of her friends’ birthdays.
“I don’t realize it but Claire’s, you actually brought so many memories to me,” she said in the video. “This is where I had my first ever piercing and always, after primary school, I used to drag my mum here to buy me some cute jewelry or hair accessories. Not to mention, while kids nowadays be going to Sephora to get their new makeup, I always used to come here for the little eyeshadow palette.”
TikTok user Sarah Mackenzie said it was “bittersweet checking out at Claire’s for the last time” and reminisced about visiting the store as a child.
“When I was a kid, this was literally my favorite store to come to, besides Hot Topic,” Mackensize said in an Aug. 27 video.
But others aren’t entirely surprised, such as creator Kenz, who compared Claire’s bankruptcy and closures to those of Toys “R” Us and Forever 21.
In a TikTok video posted on Aug. 10, Kenz said the prevalence of the “Sephora Kids” trend and online shopping has depleted a target audience for in-person, tween shopping.
“I’m shocked they stayed open as long as they did, for real,” Kenz said. “There’s no market anymore. There’s pretty much no target audience anymore for these stores to continue being open for. It’s because the generation behind us they are not acting like we were acting. They want to be grown. These kids ain’t want to be kids.”
Shoppers celebrate blow-out prices
In addition to mourning, social media users have shared their Claire’s hauls at low prices.
In a recent video, TikTok user Cloe Belle showed off $200 worth of jewelry she purchased for $10 at a closing location. TikTok user Tyti shared a similar video, showing her followers $240 worth of jewelry that she bought for $6.50.
What Claire’s stores are closing? When will the selected stores close by?
The 291 Claire’s and Icing stores will close on a rolling basis, the company confirmed to USA TODAY. Exact dates have not been disclosed.
Click through the list and map below to see the Claire’s and Icing stores set to close.
Why is Claire’s closing stores?
Claire’s, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, has struggled since filing for bankruptcy in March 2018.
Backed by hedge funds Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital, Claire’s operated with more than 2,300 retail locations across 17 countries in North America and Europe, including traditional Claire’s stores, 210 Claire’s locations embedded in Walmart stores, and 120 Icing stores. The company also operates 9,000 concession kiosks within malls.
Challenges have included the rise of ultra-popular online fast fashion sites Shein and Temu, which cut into the jewelry store chain’s sales, rising interest rates, inflation, and tariffs on goods from China.
Contributing: Jim Sergent, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claire’s is closing 291 stores and the internet is not happy
