3 Tri-Cities clothing stores closing after chain declares Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid pandemic

The Tri-Cities will be losing three retail clothing stores with the bankruptcy of a national chain prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.

In the Columbia Center mall in Kennewick, Lane Bryant and Justice will close, according to a list published by USA Today.

Catherines, off West Canal Drive at 6501 W. Grandridge Blvd., also is expected to close.

Ascena Retail Group, which owns the three stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday July 23.

It said then that it would be closing a significant number of stores after 30 to 60 days of clearance sales.

It had been working to find ways to address debt for two years and was making progress on improving finances before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted its finances, it said.

All Catherines, a plus-size women’s clothing store, are closing, Ascena said in a letter to customers posted online. Gift cards can continue to be used at catherines.com, it said.

Lane Bryant also sells plus-size women’s clothing and Justice sells fashion clothing for preteens.

This story was originally published July 27, 2020 at 8:52 AM.