Dressbarn Announces When First 2 CT Locations Will Close

CONNECTICUT — The demise of retail stores continues to accelerate at an alarming rate as Dressbarn, a women's clothing store, announced late Friday that two of its first store closings will occur in Connecticut.

Dressbarn announced in May that it would be closing all 650 of its stores across the U.S. including its 19 Connecticut locations. Among the first round of stores closing in June and July are the Southbury and Mansfield locations, according to the company. The two CT locations are among the first 28 stores to close.

When Dressbarn announced that it would be winding down operations, it did not disclose when stores would begin shutting down. Dressbarn CFO Steven Taylor called the decision "difficult but necessary" as the stores had "not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in today’s retail environment."

The company employs about 6,800 people across the country. Dressbarn has said employees will be notified when decisions are made about individual store closures and given "transition support."

The news that Dressbarn is shutting down across the United States doesn't come as a surprise these days. Seemingly, one national retailer after another keeps announcing store closures.

Party City announced plans to close its Meriden location this year due to a global helium shortage has hurt sales for the company.

The Hits Keep Coming To National Retailers In CT

Sears recently closed its Meriden location earlier this year. Other Sears locations that have closed within the past year include Milford, Waterbury and Waterford. Last August K-Mart announced it would close its Milford location.

Lowe's announced plans to close its Orange location in 2019 and Mattress Firm announced last year that it would close locations in Branford, Bristol, Newington, Orange, Tolland, and Wethersfield.

Brookstone closed its locations in Danbury, Waterford and at the Mohegan Sun casino. Two Sam's Club locations in Connecticut, Orange and Manchester, also closed in 2018.

Charlotte Russe announced earlier in 2019 that it would close all of its stores including five locations in Connecticut. Also earlier this year, Family Dollar, which has 20 stores in Connecticut, said it will close as many as 390 stores and add adult beverages and other changes to some remaining locations. No specific locations have been released by Family Dollar.

And 2017, also wasn't kind to retailers either. Bob's Stores, Eastern Mountain Sports, Payless Shoes, Rue 21, JC Penney in Milford and more all closed.

Additional Job Losses In CT Announced By Businesses Here

Thus far in 2019, a total of nine companies have announced plans to layoff approximately 700 employees across the state.

Burndy, LLC in Bethel plans 54 layoffs by the end of the year. Durham School Service in Shelton plans 107 layoffs due to a loss of contract. Those layoffs are effective July 1.

Datco in Bethel has planned 52 layoffs, an AT&T Call Center in Meriden has announced plans for 46 layoffs, Aramark Management Services Limited Partnership in Hartford is laying off 93 people due to a loss of contract, New England Motor Freight, Inc. in Meiden laid off 122 people, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals in Middlebury, Guilford, Colchester laid off three people, Petland Discounts Inc. in Southbury; Derby laid off seven people, and Bridgewater Associates, LP, of Stamford announced 197 layoffs.