Out of Business Companies and Company Name Changes

Company Names that may have vanished because they have been bought out...  from the Clothing Industry

Lost Fashion Businesses

Yes, sometimes fashion businesses go out of business.

Bradlees, Inc.: (Out of Business)

Ames Department Stores, Inc.: Out of Business (September 2002)

Kids R Us (will be closing stores by Jan. 2003)

Tropical Sportswear (they were bought by Perry Ellis in early 2005)

Shoe Pavillion (2008)

The Duck Head brand was founded in 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee by George and Joe O'Bryan, two brothers who were buying surplus U.S. Army tent material. The material was a heavy canvas known as "duck", and the brothers began making work pants and shirts out of the strong material. Their company became known as the OBryan Brothers Manufacturing Company.  The brand was purchased by Delta Woodside Industries in 1989 in an attempt to create a national brand. In 1999, Duck Head Apparel was spun off by Delta Woodside. Tropical Sportswear International bought the company in 2001, but went bankrupt in 2005.  Duck Head Shoes began being produced in the 1990s by Old Dominion Footwear of Madison Heights, Virginia. Duck Head clothing is now a private label brand sold exclusively at Goody's Family Clothing stores. Goody's underwent Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008, and announced plans in January 2009 to liquidate and close all of its stores under a second Chapter 11 filing. The Duck Head brand was put up for sale by Streambank LLC with an auction for the brand scheduled for the end of May 2009

ALCO Stores, Inc. (formerly Duckwall-ALCO Stores) was a retail chain operating 198 stores in 23 states, primarily in the United States Midwest. The company was founded in 1901 in Kansas by Alva Lease Duckwall.  In October 2014, ALCO filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; subsequently the chain was sold to a liquidation firm and closed all of its stores by March 2015.  November 2004 Description: Duckwall-Alco The Company, which was founded in 1901 in Abilene, Kansas, is a regional retailer operating in 21 states in the central United States. The Company's strategy since the late 1980's is to expand by targeting smaller markets not served by other regional or national full-line retail discount chains and to offer the most convenient access to retail shopping within each market. The Company's ALCO discount stores offer a full line of quality merchandise consisting of approximately 35,000 items including automotive, candy, crafts, domestics, electronics, fabrics, furniture, hardware, health and beauty aids, housewares, jewelry, ladies', men's and children's apparel and shoes, pre-recorded music and video, sporting goods, seasonal items, stationary and toys. The Company's smaller Duckwall variety stores offer a more limited selection of merchandise. As of February 11, 2003 the Company operates 177 ALCO discount stores, accounting for approximately 92% of the total company sales of $411 million in fiscal 2003, and 85 Duckwall Variety stores.

Ashworth Inc. : On October 14, 2008, Ashworth was acquired by TaylorMade-Adidas. January 2007 Description Ashworth, Inc. (ASHW - news) - is a leading designer of men's and women's golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear distributed domestically and internationally in golf pro shops, resorts, upscale department and specialty stores and to corporate customers. Ashworth's three market-leading brands include: Ashworth Collection (TM), a range of upscale sportswear designed to be worn on and off course; Ashworth Authentics (TM), which showcases popular items from the Ashworth line; and Ashworth Weather Systems(R), a technical performance line. Ashworth is also an Official Apparel Licensee of Callaway Golf Company. Ashworth is also a leading designer, producer and distributor of headwear and apparel under The Game(R) and Kudzu(R) brands. The Game is a leading headwear brand to collegiate bookstores and Kudzu products are sold into the NASCAR/racing markets and through outdoors sports distribution channels, including fishing and hunting. Ashworth is also the exclusive on-site event merchandiser for the Kentucky Derby.

Cache : All Caché stores have closed. January 2015:  According to Bloomberg on January 22, 2015, "Cache Inc. (CACH), an almost 40-year-old clothing chain known for helping popularize Armani and Versace designs in the U.S., is preparing to file for bankruptcy, said people with knowledge of the situation. The move is expected as soon as next week, said the people, who didn't want to be identified because the matter isn't public. Cache said last month that it was exploring options and had received an inquiry from a potential buyer. The company hasn't provided an update on the process since then."  This would be Cache's second trip to bankruptcy court. It filed a Chapter 11 petition in 1986 and emerged in 1988. Read more at the Cache Bankruptcy 2015 blog post.  February 2011 Description: Caché is a nationwide, mall-based specialty retailer of lifestyle sportswear and dresses targeting style-conscious women between the ages of 25-45. Their brand appeals to a woman who has a youthful attitude, is self-confident, fashion-conscious, and requires a missy fit while preferring a high level of client service and their boutique format. They offer women a broad collection of apparel and accessories to meet her needs for sophisticated casual and daytime sportswear to eveningwear. The sportswear collection embodies a mix of lifestyle separates for both day and evening. Their dress collection includes pieces for day and evening and is an important destination for holidays, proms, or special events. Their accessories, from handbags to jewelry to shoes allows them to complete her outfit with offerings that complement the seasonal themes and palettes of their sportswear and dresses. Their boutique-like environment enhances their customers shopping experience, as they offer a high level of client service combined with enticing merchandise. Their goal is to have the Caché woman feel like she is the center of attention. As of December 2009, we operated 286 Caché and 15 Caché Luxe stores, primarily situated in central locations in high traffic, upscale malls, in 43 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands January 2007 Description: Cache is a nationwide, mall-based, specialty retailer of sophisticated, social-occasion sportswear and dresses targeting style-conscious women between the ages of 25 and 55. They own and operate, two separate store concepts, Cache and Lillie Rubin, each of which carries its own distinctive branded merchandise. Both concepts, while targeting different customer bases, focus on social-occasion dressing designed for contemporary women who take pride in their appearance, whether they are out for a casual lunch or at a black-tie affair. Their merchandise assortment extends from elegant eveningwear to their distinctive, day-into-evening sportswear, which encompasses a variety of chic tops, bottoms and dresses versatile enough to be worn during the day or evening. They believe the appeal of their merchandise is enhanced through the intimate, boutique-like environment they offer to their customers. This environment is achieved through a high level of customer service combined with their smaller-store format, which averages approximately 2,000 square feet. As of January 1, 2005, they operated 291 stores primarily situated in central locations in high-traffic, upscale malls. What makes a woman captivating? Her style? Her charm? Her wit? Captivating is that and more. It's that special spark that shines in her eyes, the energy that animates her every move. Even her clothes reflect it. Fashion-forward, naturally, but what really makes her style captivating is its exquisite attention to detail. This is the Cache woman: confident, sexy, social and stylish. From their distinctive casual sportswear to their stunning eveningwear to their contemporary accessories, their collections draw the eye with their unique detailing. Because their clothes must be as charismatic as the woman who wears them.  Whether in their 260+ boutiques coast to coast or online at cache.com, they hope to make every moment of your experience rewarding. They promise to provide the highest level of security and quality wherever you choose to visit.

Federated Department Stores : Name had changed to Macy's.  It was founded in Leadville, Colorado, by David May in 1877, moving to St. Louis in 1905. After many changes in the retail industry, the company merged with Federated Department Stores (now Macy's, Inc.) in 2005.  February 2006 Description  Federated, with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York, is one of the nation's premier retailers, with fiscal 2006 sales expected to be more than $27 billion. Federated operates more than 850 department stores and more than 720 bridal and formalwear stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names of Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, Kaufmann's, Lord & Taylor, L.S. Ayres, Marshall Field's, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridge's, The Jones Store, David's Bridal, After Hours Formalwear and Priscilla of Boston. The company also operates macys.com and Bloomingdale's By Mail. www.fds.com

Footstar Inc. No longer in business.  Footstar, Inc., is a former shoe retailer based in Mahwah, New Jersey.The company was traded under the symbol “FTAR” on the Pink Sheets.In April 2012, Footstar was merged into Xstelos Holdings, Inc. November 2004 Description: Footstar is one of the largest footwear retailers in the United States competing in the discount/family footwear sector.  The Company offers a broad assortment of discount and family footwear through licensed footwear departments operated by Meldisco. As of July 31, 2004, the Company operates 2,389 Meldisco licensed footwear departments nationwide in Kmart, Rite Aid and Federated Department Stores. The Company also distributes its own Thom McAn brand of quality leather footwear through Kmart, Wal-Mart and Shoe Zone stores.   On March 2, 2004, Footstar voluntarily filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Gottschalks (former NYSE ticker symbol GOT) was a middle-tier American department store that operated 58 department stores and three specialty apparel stores in six western states (California, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada); some locations ran as Harris-Gottschalks stores. Prior to liquidation, it was the largest independently owned, publicly traded department store chain in the United States. On January 14, 2009, Gottschalks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This bankruptcy became a liquidation on March 31, 2009. At least 5 prime locations became Macy's stores, while several more became Forever 21 stores.  November 2004 Description: Gottschalks Inc. is a regional department and specialty store chain based in Fresno, California. The Company currently operates 64 full-line "Gottschalks" department stores which offer moderate to better brand-name merchandise and are located in California, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Nevada. The Company also operates 11 "Village East" and "Gottschalks" specialty stores, which carry a more limited selection of merchandise.   The Company has operated for 100 years since its founding by Emil Gottschalk in 1904. In 1986, when the Company announced its initial public offering, it operated 10 department stores. Since then, a total of 54 department stores and 11 specialty stores have been added and the Company has expanded to serve 50 markets in the Western region.  Through its July 2000 acquisition of Lamonts Apparel, and new store openings in Oregon, Washington and California, the Company has expanded its reach in the Western region, allowing it to better serve its target markets. Gottschalks' goal is to open two to four new stores per year, strengthening its presence in existing markets, as well as entering new markets to increase its market share and penetration.

Hanover Direct : November 2004 Description Hanover Direct, Inc. and its business units provide quality, branded merchandise through a portfolio of catalogs and e-commerce platforms to consumers, as well as a comprehensive range of Internet, e-commerce, and fulfillment services to businesses. Hanover Brands, Inc. is comprised of the Company's catalog and e-commerce web site portfolio of home fashions, apparel and gift brands, including Domestications, The Company Store, Company Kids, Encore, Silhouettes, International Male, Undergear, Scandia Down, and Gump's By Mail. The Company owns Gump's, a retail store based in San Francisco. Each brand can be accessed on the Internet individually by name.

Harold's:  Harold's, an 18-state chain of traditional, classic styled ladies and men's specialty apparel stores for customers between the ages of 30 and 50, announced that it is closing its doors for good. On Nov. 10, an Oklahoma bankruptcy court approved plans for the 60-year-old retail chain to begin a storewide Going-Out-of-Business sale. (AMEX symbol: HLD) founded in 1948 and headquarted in Dallas, Texas, Harold's Stores, Inc., in 2006 they operate 41 upscale ladies and men's specialty stores in 19 states.  The companies Houston locations are known as Harold Powell.  Harold's Stores, Inc. operates a chain of women's and men's specialty apparel stores in the United States. At January 31, 2004, the Company operated 42 stores in 19 states, comprised of 39 full-price retail stores and three outlet stores to clear markdowns and slow-moving merchandise, in addition to limited merchandise produced specifically for the outlets. The Company stores offer classically inspired apparel to the upscale, quality-conscious consumer primarily in the 30- to 50-year old age group.

May Department Stores : No longer public. May Department Stores was bought by Federated Department Stores.  Federated later consolidated the name of their stores to Macy's. November 2004 Description: The May Department Stores Company currently operates 502 department stores under the names of Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, Kaufmann's, Lord & Taylor, L.S. Ayres, Marshall Field's, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridge's, and The Jones Store, as well as 231 David's Bridal stores, 459 After Hours Formalwear stores, and 11 Priscilla of Boston stores in its Bridal Group. May operates in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

fashion directory  Steve & Barrys:  Steve & Barry's was about stripping away the gloss and giving consumers something real. The fact is that great clothing doesn't really have to cost that much. It's a simple idea, but also a big idea big enough, that is, to turn the industry on its ear. By delivering on their promise to provide premium apparel at impossibly low prices, Steve & Barry's is single-handedly changing the retail landscape. Based in Port Washington, NY.  Unfortunately, the idea did not work out too well.  On November 24, 2008, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closing many stores, Steve and Barry's parent company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation and announced the chain was going out of business.  This liquidation was completed on January 30, 2009.

Syms : In November 2011, Syms filed for bankruptcy.  All Syms and Filene's Basement stores closed by the end of December 2011.  Description November 2004: Syms Corp currently operates a chain of thirty eight off-price apparel stores located throughout the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions and in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. Each Syms store offers a broad range of first quality, in-season merchandise bearing nationally recognized designer and brand-name labels.

Too, Inc. : In January 2011, to move away from the direct association with the Dress Barn brand and reflect the company's broader holdings, the company was reorganized as a Delaware corporation named Ascena Retail Group, Inc. At this time the NASDAQ symbol was also changed to ASNA.  In August 2008, Tween Brands announced that it would discontinue its Limited Too line of 586 stores. Although, select stores will still offer a line of higher-quality Limited Too clothes in Justice locations. 26 of the stores will be closed, and 560 converted to its lower-priced Justice brand, by the first quarter of 2009  On July 10, 2006, Too Inc. completed its name change to Tween Brands, Inc., and began trading on the NYSE under the symbol, 'TWB'.  Description February 2006: Too, Inc. aims to be a world-class brand for the tween (ages 7 to 14) girl. To accomplish this, Too operates two divisions that create magical places for the tween girl. At Limited Too, the company sells apparel, swimwear, sleepwear, underwear, footwear, lifestyle and personal care products for active, fashion-aware tween girls. Limited Too currently operates more than 570 stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico and has a select number of international franchised stores. Limited Too publishes a catalog coinciding with key tween shopping times throughout the year, and conducts e-commerce on its Web site, limitedtoo.com.  Too Inc. became a fully independent public company in August 1999, in a spin-off to shareholders of The Limited. The Limited had established Limited Too brand stores adjacent to or as departments within The Limited stores. In 1996, a new management team recognized that its core customer had her own emerging sense of style and revised the strategy to create a focused and differentiated brand image for fashion-aware
tween girls.

Value City Department Stores: On October 27, 2008, Value City announced that the chain was filing for bankruptcy and that all remaining stores would close.  The sales were completed on December 23, 2008.  Value City Department Stores was a leading off-price department retailer with over 100 stores operating in the Midwest, East and South and DSW Shoe Warehouse Stores throughout the U.S. (1998).  Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with buying offices in Columbus, Boston and Los Angeles and stores in 15 states, Value City is the nation's only full-line off-price department store. Stores are generally 80,000 to 100,000 square feet and carry a wider merchandise assortment than smaller off-price specialty stores. Columbus, OH  

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