Claire’s Bankruptcy Chapter 11: Tariffs and Store Closures

Claire’s, the place to go for your first ear-piercing as a teen, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in seven years. The company cites multiple issues, such as mounting debt, shifting consumer habits, and the Trump-era tariffs.

By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).

Claire’s Files Chapter 11 (Again): Tariffs, Teens, and Trouble in the Malls

There are approximately 2,750 locations in seventeen countries, and before Claire’s first bankruptcy, there were 4,500 stores.  It’s unknown how many locations could be shut down, as that depends on whether they can find a buyer for their operations in the United States, but anywhere from 800 to 1,300 plus locations can be closed.

• Party City and BIG Lots File for Bankruptcy and Will Close Their Doors Permanently

Trump’s Tariff War only made it worse. Claire’s North American stores purchase 70% of their inventory from suppliers outside of the U.S., mostly from China, but also from Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and India.

Per Clair’s bankruptcy filing, these locations will be closing immediately:

📍 Location	🏬 Mall/Center Name	🗺️ State
Montgomery	Eastdale Mall	Alabama
Newark	Newpark Mall	California
Chicago	Ford City Mall	Illinois
Lynnfield	Market Street	Massachusetts
Bay City	Bay City Town Center	Michigan
Blaine	Northtown Mall	Minnesota
Livingston	Livingston Mall	New Jersey
Uniontown	Uniontown Mall	Pennsylvania
Highland Village	Shops at Highland Village	Texas
Knoxville	Pinnacle at Turkey Creek	Tennessee
Park City	Junction Commons	Utah
Provo	Provo Town Center	Utah
Woodinville	Woodinville Plaza	Washington

The following Icing store locations will also be closing immediately:

📍 Location	🏬 Mall/Center Name	🗺️ State
Riverside	Galleria at Tyler	California
Grand Rapids	Woodland Mall	Michigan
Rochester	Greece Ridge	New York
Abilene	Mall of Abilene	Texas
Orem	University Orem	Utah

As more information becomes available, this blog will be updated, including locations being closed. This list was updated on August 17, 2025.

Educational Resources

• For Institutions: Colleges and universities can purchase or request examination copies of my textbook directly from Routledge Publishing.
• For Students & Practitioners: Single print and digital copies are available via Amazon Books.
• Video Lectures: Stream comprehensive legal breakdowns and video explanations on the Prof. Hernandez YouTube Channel.

Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources

Explore a deep dive for consumer guides and court directories to navigate your legal options:

• A step-by-step master guide on Filing for Bankruptcy and Navigating the Petition.
• Access full directories for the Federal Bankruptcy Court System and Trustee Contact Information.
• Protect your assets by reviewing your specific State Bankruptcy Exemptions or compare them against the Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions.
• Prepare for your court date with the updated brief on the 341 Meeting of Creditors Rules and Procedures.

Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.