Women's Clothing Chain Closing All Stores, Including Gilroy

GILROY, CA — After nearly 60 years in business, Dressbarn announced that it is shutting down and closing all 650 stores, including the Gilroy location. The company employs about 6,800 people and has not disclosed when stores will begin shutting down.

Parent company ascena retail group, inc. announced the "wind down" of operations on Monday.

"All Dressbarn stores are open and conducting business as usual, as is Dressbarn's ecommerce site," the company said in a press release Monday. "Customers can continue to shop at Dressbarn in-store and online and use Dressbarn-branded credit cards for purchases. There are no current changes to Dressbarn's return, refund, or gift card policies."

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." Taylor added. "For more than 50 years, Dressbarn has served women's fashion needs, and we thank all of our dedicated associates for their commitment to Dressbarn and our valued customers. During the wind down process, we will continue to provide our customers with the same great experience both in-store and online, offering them even better deals and value. We will work to assist our associates through the transition and maintain existing relationships with our vendors, suppliers, and other key stakeholders through this process."

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The company said Dressbarn employees will be notified when decisions are made about individual store closures and given "transition support." Dressbarn also said it will continue paying its vendors and suppliers in full for products and services provided during the wind down process.

Dressbarn currently has 42 stores in California.

By Shannon Antinori, Patch National Staff