Shuttered Children's Clothing Store Announces CT Relaunch

CONNECTICUT — A children's clothing retailer that closed all of its stores is making a comeback in Connecticut.

Gymboree this week announced plans to relaunch its brand at more than 200 Children's Place locations nationwide, including two in the Nutmeg State.

A year after the New Jersey-based company closed its Gymboree stores, The Children's Place announced Wednesday it will relaunch the kids' clothing brand in February.

The reboot includes one location each at the Danbury Fair Mall and the Westfield Trumbull Mall, according to the newly-launched Gymboree website.

In a statement from the company, President and Chief Executive Officer Jane Elfers said the company is "very proud to announce the return of Gymboree." She said the company has worked "tirelessly to bring this iconic brand back to its passionate and loyal customers."

Gymboree's launch will include eight collections in sizes 12 months to 8.

The company will offer free shipping and free returns with no minimum purchase for all online orders. Plus, a loyalty program called My Place Rewards will be introduced.

In January 2019, Gymboree filed for bankruptcy and closed all its stores. The Children's Place paid $76 million in March 2019 to acquire the brand, as well as Gymboree's value brand, Crazy 8, according to a report from Chain Store Age.

Before it closed its locations last year, Gymboree operated eight stores in Connecticut, including those in the Westfield Trumbull Mall, the Stamford Town Center and the Danbury Fair Mall.

The news of the relaunch comes as more and more national chains are closing stores.

Last week, Papyrus, a stationery retailer, said it is closing all of its stores. The chain operates six Connecticut stores, including locations at the malls in Danbury and Stamford.

Papyrus joins other chains that are closing all or some of their Connecticut stores, including Pier 1 Imports, Sears, A.C. Moore, Kmart, Motherhood Maternity, Dressbarn and more.

In January, Pier 1 said it would close its stores in Avon, Bristol, Danbury, Hamden, Norwalk and South Windsor — six out of its total 14 Connecticut stores.

A.C. Moore announced in November it was shuttering all of its Connecticut outlets as part of a nationwide liquidation in the tightening market for retail crafts and art supplies.

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