Claire's reverses course, three valley locations spared from closures

A retailer for tweens and teens specializing in jewelry and accessories has reversed an earlier announced plans to shut down many of its stores, including three here in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys.

Claire's Holdings announced that stores at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, and the Grove City Premium Outlets in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, will remain open as part of a restructuring plan following its recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

The company filed a notice in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, outlining a revised list of stores slated for closure and those that will remain open. The court had previously authorized Claire's to begin closing sales at those locations on August 8.

According to the filing, the company has discontinued closing sales at the stores, designating them as non-closing locations. The company also reserves the right to make future changes to the list of closing and non-closing stores.

Claire's, known for its iconic ear-piercing services and accessories, has been a fixture in malls across the U.S. and beyond for decades..

The move to keep more stores open signals a shift in the company's strategy as it navigates its financial challenges.