Corbin Fashion Bug store to close for good in early 2013

The Fashion Bug store at Tri-County Square Shopping Center in Corbin will close next January.

A large Corbin clothing retailer will shutter its operations sometime in mid to late January 2013.

Fashion Bug, located in the Tri-County Square Shopping Center, is currently holding an inventory liquidation sale that will continue until the end of the year. It will close for good after the holidays.

"We’ve got people that have been here forever. It’s sad," an employee of the Corbin Fashion Bug store said Tuesday. "There really isn’t anything else I’m allowed to tell you."

The company is owned by Charming Shoppes, Inc., based in Pennsylvania which also owns Lane Bryant and Catherines brand stores.

"The Fashion Bug brand has been proudly serving American women for 70 years. Through our Corbin location, we have been serving the area for 20 years," said Gayle M. Coolick, Vice President of Charming Shoppes, Inc., via an emailed statement. "We have greatly enjoyed doing business in Corbin and would like to thank our customers for their loyalty. As you know, with our recently completed merger with the Ascena Retail group, Inc., we have made the difficult decision to close our Fashion Bug business."

"Although we do not yet have a final schedule of store closing dates, many of our Fashion Bug locations will be operating through the end of this year, and between now and then, customers can still shop at their Fashion Bug store. We will be holding wonderful sales events prior to the store closing to assist us in clearing product. This will be a great opportunity for our customers in Corbin!  While we cannot comment specifically on any associate’s employment status, interested associates are of course invited to apply for transfer to a nearby location with one of our sister brands."

Charming Shoppes, Inc. was acquired by Ascena Retail Group in May for approximately $900 million. Shortly after, Ascena revealed it planned to close nearly all of the 600 Fashion Bug stores in 43 states. In advance of the sale, Charming Shoppes had already closed about 124 Fashion Bug stores.

Ascena also owns Dress Barn, Maurice’s (which has a location in Corbin also) and Justice. With the acquisition, the company now runs about 3,800 stores.

A trio of companies is in charge of liquidating the remainder of Fashion Bug’s inventory. Most employees have been retained in the short term to help with the sell off.

Fashion Bug specializes in women’s clothing for plus, misses and junior sizes.