Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Francesca’s closing locations in The Summit, Riverchase Galleria + more
Reading time: 2 minutes
Popular women’s fashion company Francesca’s will be closing up shop across the country, which includes nine locations in Alabama, multiple sources are reporting.
The retailer has plans to liquidate all goods starting Friday, Jan. 23, Women’s Wear Daily reported last week.
Of Alabama’s nine locations, the Birmingham area has three:
- The Summit: 200 Summit Blvd 600, Birmingham
- The Outlets at Grand River: 6200 Grand River Blvd E 630, Leeds
- Riverchase Galleria: 2000 Galleria Circle 118, Birmingham
The other locations in the state are:
- Bel Air Mall: 3217-B Bel Air Mall, Mobile
- Foley Outlets: 2601 S McKenzie 474, Foley
- The Shoppes at EastChase: 6830 Eastchase Parkway, Montgomery
- Midtown Village: 1800 McFarland Blvd 217, Tuscaloosa
- Parkway Place: 2801 Memorial Parkway South 166, Huntsville
- Bridge Street Town Centre: 130 The Bridge Street, Huntsville
When will Francesca’s close?
No timeline for the closures has been shared as of Monday, Jan. 19.
Some deals on Francesca’s website are as much as 80% off, but no official announcement from the company has been made.
Many reports claim the chain is expected to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy as soon as Tuesday, Jan. 20, when federal courts reopen after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday, The Street reported.
Ongoing financial troubles
Francesca’s is based in Houston, Texas, where its first location was founded in 1999.
In May 2016, the retailer’s shares plunged, leading to several shifts in leadership since its opening. Around 30 stores were closed back in 2019 in an effort to save the company. Francesca’s declared bankruptcy in December 2020, and 97 stores closed later that month.
Since then, attempts to keep the store afloat were made — including launching a secondhand sales platform that would provide credit to customers who sent in items, acquiring other brands and creating a tween apparel line “Franki by Francesca’s” — but they were not successful.
For news, events and more happening around Birmingham, sign up for our FREE newsletter.
