{"id":43184,"date":"2025-08-07T14:22:47","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T14:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/07\/claires-the-ear-piercing-mall-staple-filing-for-bankruptcy\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T14:22:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T14:22:47","slug":"claires-the-ear-piercing-mall-staple-filing-for-bankruptcy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/07\/claires-the-ear-piercing-mall-staple-filing-for-bankruptcy\/","title":{"rendered":"Claire’s, the Ear Piercing Mall Staple, Filing for Bankruptcy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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For the second time in seven years,\u00a0ear piercing mall staple\u00a0Claire’s<\/a>\u00a0has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.<\/p>\n

The brand will be shutting down at least 18 storefronts.<\/p>\n

There’s a dang good chance that you had your ears pieced at a Claire’s mall location in the ’90s or 2000s. Well,\u00a0its\u00a01,300-plus locations across America have continued to putter along for years after their original bankruptcy filing back in March of 2018.<\/p>\n

Now, just a year before the $500 million loan they took out to cover costs is due in December 2026, USA Today<\/em><\/a> reports that\u00a0Claire’s\u00a0has declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy trying to decrease their debt load and possibly regroup, or get sold.<\/p>\n

According to the Delaware legal filings<\/a>, Claire’s says that\u00a0most of their locations will remain open during this process, but it has earmarked about 20 locations to shut down by October.<\/p>\n

Claire’s also defaulted on rent payments for many of their locations in June and July of this year, leading up to this Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.<\/p>\n

One of the major issues that has sparked trouble for Claire’s business model as of late is the fact that the majority of their products come from China, and with new tariffs on goods coming from China,\u00a0it’s becoming harder and harder for Claire’s to stay afloat and<\/em> make a profit.<\/p>\n

Sites like Shein and Temu have also hurt\u00a0Claire’s\u00a0bottom line, since the product is similar at a lower price, and can be shipped right to your home.<\/p>\n

However, you can’t get your ears pierced at Temu and grab some Auntie Anne’s pretzels after.<\/p>\n

What will happen come December 2026, when\u00a0their $500 million\u00a0debt is due? Claire’s\u00a0will have to have a private equity firm purchase the business and cover the loan and debt, or they’ll close up shop and call it a day.<\/p>\n

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Chris Cramer, CEO of Claire’s, says: “We remain in active discussions with potential strategic and financial partners and are committed to completing our review of strategic alternatives.”<\/p>\n

Either way, if you need an ear piercing or Hello Kitty temporary tattoo, better head to Claire’s fast.<\/p>\n

When\u00a0Did the First Claire’s Store Open?<\/h3>\n

The first Claire’s opened in 1974, and starting in 1978, it was the hotspot for kids aged 3-18 to go and get their ears pierced right after\u00a0they\u00a0had lunch at the food court.<\/p>\n

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Snacks from the ’90s That Have Disappeared<\/h2>\n
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Was there anything better than opening your lunch box and seeing Shark Bites packed in next to some Hi-C Ecto Cooler? A simple pleasure kids of today can’t experience. <\/p>\n

What other snacks came and went from our lives in the 1990s and beyond? Follow us as we look back at some ’90s snacks that have since disappeared.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gallery Credit: Wood<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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See 50 Essential ’90s Country Songs<\/h2>\n
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If you call yourself a real fan of ’90s country music, you probably need to know the words to all of these hit songs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n