Ear Piercings and Endings

Clarie’s Files for Bankruptcy

Photo by bargainmoose / CC BY-SA 4.0

On Aug. 6, the popular jewelry retailer Claire’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Known for its ear-piercing services and cheap accessories for children and young teenagers, this event marks the second time the store has filed for bankruptcy. Founded in 1961, Claire’s has been a longtime staple in shopping malls across the United States.

This filing will result in the closure of over 290 locations nationwide. The announcement comes just months after Forever 21, a popular fast fashion clothing store, permanently shut down all of its U.S. store locations in May, raising concerns about the decline of traditional mall-based retailers. Experts allude the cause of this trend to the rise of online fast fashion sites such as Shein and Temu, along with increased tariffs on goods imported from China.

“Claire’s is an affordable way to get jewelry,” junior Lauren Conn said. “I feel like Claire’s was a big part of your childhood, but the only things you would miss are their cheap earrings.”

While the future of the company remains uncertain, Claire’s has been acquired by private equity firm Ames Watson. Its legacy as a long-time mall staple will continue to hold a special place in retail history.