Charming Charlie, a jewelry and accessories store in New Town, will close up shop by the end of December, according to a store manager.
Ashley Richardson, sales lead manager at the New Town Charming Charlie, confirmed in an interview that the store will close no later than Dec. 31. It may close sooner if the store sells out of inventory before then, she said.
Charming Charlie sells clothing, footwear, cosmetics, jewelry, purses and more, according to its website.
At the New Town location, sales will be ongoing throughout December, Richardson said, and discounts may change day-to-day. The store’s furniture and fixtures — such as benches and tables typically used for displaying merchandise — are also available for purchase, she added.
A spokesperson for Charming Charlie declined to comment for this story.
The closing of New Town’s Charming Charlie comes amid a corporate effort to stabilize the struggling business.
On Dec. 1, Reuters reported the Houston-based chain may be preparing to file for bankruptcy, but it’s in negotiations with creditors to restructure its debt. Charming Charlie plans to close roughly 100 of its more than 350 stores nationwide.
“By reducing the size and scale of our operations, we have the opportunity to stabilize the business,” said Charming Charlie Interim CEO Lana Krauter in a press release. “This was a challenging decision to make, but we know that it is in the best interest of Charming Charlie, our customers, our vendors, and our employees moving forward.”
Charming Charlie described the stores selected for closure as “underperforming.”
As part of its “back-to-basics” strategy of simplifying operations, the chain will also close its Los Angeles headquarters and reduce staff at its Houston Corporate Support Center and Distribution Center, according to the release.
Still, as Charming Charlie locations close around the county, Richardson has a simple message for Historic Triangle customers.
“We appreciate their business and for being loyal with us,” she said.
