The Claire's store in Waterbury's Brass Mill Center is scheduled to close as the company faces its second bankruptcy since 2018. 

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

The future of Claire’s in Connecticut is becoming clearer as the jewelry retailer works through bankruptcy and a new ownership deal. A list released in federal court shows that two Claire’s stores in the state will not survive the latest round of closures.

Claire's announced this week it would close 290 locations, which include the company's jewelry and fashion store, Icing. 

The Icing store at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester will shut its doors, though the Claire’s at the same mall will remain open. Claire’s locations at Brass Mill Center & Commons in Waterbury and Crystal Mall in Waterford are also set to close, according to the filing.

However, several Connecticut Claire's locations will remain after earlier reports said they were facing closure. Those include the Claire’s at Danbury Fair Mall, Trumbull Mall, Connecticut Post Mall, Westfarms Mall, and The Shoppes at Farmington Valley.

Claire’s is navigating its second bankruptcy since 2018 and pointed to a “challenging commercial environment over the past few years,” citing reduced foot traffic, inflation, tariffs, and increased competition.

“As we continue through our restructuring proceedings, our team has worked tirelessly to explore every option for preserving the value of the Claire's business and brand,” Claire’s CEO Chris Cramer said in a statement. “We are glad to reach this definitive agreement to sell a portion of our North America operations to Ames Watson and maximize the value of our company for all our stakeholders.”