Flood of chains announce store closures: here’s what’s happening with Boise-area locations

Just three months in, 2019 is proving to be a tough year for chain retail. Gap, Payless ShoeSource, Charlotte Russe, Family Dollar, Abercrombie & Fitch, Chico’s, Soma and others with Treasure Valley locations have announced closures in recent weeks. Here’s what we know about the impact on local locations.

Charlotte Russe

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  Boise Towne Square (ongoing)

  Description: Large regional mall, constructed in 1988.
  Developer: Brookfield Properties
  Status:
  

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  Village at Meridian expansion

  Description: Additional retail and office at existing Village at Meridian
  Developer: CenterCal
  Status: Announced
  

The women’s fashion retailer initially said it would just close 94 of its 512 stores. But the bankruptcy process ended in a total liquidation. It will close all of its stores, including its Boise store in the Boise Towne Square Mall. Going out of business sales are already underway, according to CNN.

Payless ShoeSource

On its way out. The chain of lower-priced shoes said it would shut down all stores lat month. That includes four standalone locations in Boise. Payless also has “store within a store” locations inside Shopko locations. But, Shopko is also in the process of liquidating its Boise outlets.

Gap, Banana Republic

The retailer best known for its jeans and khakis said it would cut 230 Gap and Banana Republic stores nationwide. It has not yet announced which locations it would shutter. In Boise, the company operates both brands with locations in Boise Towne Square.

It says it plans to add as many as 230 Old Navy and Athleta stores nationwide, and spin Old Navy off into a separate company.

Abercrombie & Fitch

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The teen- and young adult-focused retailer said it will drop about 40 stores this year. It also has not announced locations. Abercrombie also owns the brand Hollister – both of which have stores in Boise Towne Square. Hollister is moving locations in the mall so the two stores are further apart.

Victoria’s Secret

L Brands, owner of Victoria’s Secret, will shut down more than 50 stores, as it struggles with changing consumer preferences in the women’s intimates category. No locations yet announced. The company operates two combo VS/PINK locations – one in Boise Towne Square and another at The Village at Meridian.

Chico’s

Another women’s fashion brand, mainly focused on older adults, Chico’s said it will shut the doors on 250 stores – but over the next three years. Chico’s also operates White House Black Market and Soma which will also see closures.

In Boise, Chico’s operates a store at The Village at Meridian. It previously closed a Downtown Boise store. It also has White House Black Market stores in The Village at Meridian as well as in Downtown Boise’s Bodo area. Soma Intimates operates a store at The Village as well.

JCPenney

The general merchandise chain announced a fresh round of 19 store closures – but didn’t say where or when. It has two Treasure Valley stores – in the Boise Towne Square and in the Nampa Gateway.

Dollar Tree’s Family Dollar

Dollar Tree bought the Family Dollar chain in 2015, and is now making big changes. It will close 390 stores across the country, and will rebrand another 200 stores. Locations have not yet been detailed. In SW Idaho, there are more than a dozen Family Dollar stores. The chain operates an additional 20 Dollar Tree stores, which are not affected.

Others

As we’ve noted, Shopko is exiting the market. Sears closed its Boise Towne Square Mall store early this year. Gymboree is also closing its local stores.

[Boise’s Sears is closed. Something new in the space? It’ll be a while]