2 Gap Clothing Stores In Georgia Close

MARIETTA, GA — Two Gap clothing stores in Georgia have closed, company officials said on Monday. The store closures are part of a plan announced in February 2019 to shut down 230 stores across the country.

The two stores that closed were located at the Avenue West Cobb, 3625 Dallas Highway in Marietta; and Oglethorpe Mall, 7804 Abercorn St. in Savannah, the company said.

Gap management said the stores that closed were either underperforming or no longer fit the vision for the future of the company.

"We are confident these closures will strengthen the health of the specialty fleet moving forward and will serve as a more appropriate foundation for brand revitalization," the company's management said in a statement on its website.

The brick-and-mortar retail landscape continued its decline in Georgia in 2019 and 2020, with several national chains announcing dozens of store closings by 2020.

Read more: Georgia Chain Stores That Closed Their Doors In 2019

Last year, the parent company, Gap Inc. announced plans to shutter about 230 stores over the next two years. Last year, the San Francisco-based retail company had a total of 725 specialty stores, not including those in China. Sales had dropped 5 percent, according to Gap's 2018 earnings report.

The 50-year-old retailer has been mired in a financial swamp over the past few years. Gap is estimating that it will lose about $625 million from the store closure, but then save about $90 million as the process takes shape.

Gap joins other chains that are closing some of their Georgia stores.

Papyrus, a stationery retailer, is closing all of its stores across the country, according to Fortune. The chain operates two Atlanta stores at Lenox Square and Phippps Plaza.

Papyrus joins other chains that are closing all or some of their DC and Virginia stores, including Pier 1 Imports, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sears, Kmart, Motherhood Maternity, Dressbarn and more.
Earlier this month, Pier 1 said it would likely close half of its stores to "better align its business with the current operating environment."

Earlier this month, Pier 1 said it would likely close half of its stores to "better align its business with the current operating environment." Eleven Georgia stores, including two in Atlanta, one in Decatur, one in Marietta and one in Douglasville, were removed from the chain's website. The company confirmed on social media the stores removed from the website were slated for closure. Patch has posted the full list of the 11 Pier 1 stores expected to close.

Motherhood Maternity: As Destination Maternity continues through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection case, the company said it plans to close 201 Destination Maternity and Motherhood Maternity stores across the country, including a handful in Georgia. USA Today reports the company said it plans to close stores at the following locations: Atlanta - Motherhood Maternity; Newnan - Motherhood Maternity; Dawsonville - Motherhood Maternity Outlet; Columbus - Motherhood Maternity; and McDonough - Motherhood Maternity.

Forever 21: In late September, clothing retailer Forever 21 announced that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and would be closing two stores in Georgia. These Forever 21 locations are expected to close in Georgia: Stonecrest: 2929 Turner Hill Road N.E #2460, Lithonia; and Savannah Outlets: 200 Tanger Outlets Blvd. Ste. 191, Pooler. Read more.The news is a continuation of the recent climate for brick-and-mortar stores across America. A record 9,300-plus store closings were announced in 2019, and that number could be even higher in 2020, according to a report by Business Insider