Claire’s Bankruptcy: What It Means for Amarillo’s Westgate Mall

Westgate Mall has been a pretty embattled place over the last few years in Amarillo, but they aren't the only mall in the country struggling. We've seen many longstanding stores disappear from there, and some that have come and gone in less than a year.

We recently got the news that JCPenney was bought out and is going to remain in Westgate Mall, so that's one store that won't leave a vacant spot...a very BIG vacant spot if they had disappeared.

Get our free mobile app

Another Big Mall Name Is Declaring Bankruptcy

It's a store that is a staple in nearly every mall across the U.S., and instantly recognizable by the purple letters that emblazon the mall. Claire's has long been a staple where people go to get their ears pierced and buy little accessories and jewelry.

Yesterday, Claire's announced they were filing for bankruptcy. They started deferring some payments earlier this year on a loan that was due late next year, but it didn't help them stop from falling behind on bills that were due.

Read More: Westgate Mall Has A Special Hack

Is Amarillo Going To Lose Their Claire's Location

The chain announced that with the bankruptcy filing, they would have to close down some stores to cut costs and attempt to climb out of bankruptcy. The company mentioned they would be closing 18 stores across the country.

Good news for Amarillo, we didn't land on the list of closures. One Claire's location in Highland Village and an Icing store in the Mall of Abilene were the two stores in Texas that would be shutting their doors. There will be more closings in the future, I'd imagine, but for now, we can still get our ears pierced there.