sorry, charlie

Charming Houston-based fashion retailer to shutter 261 stores nationwide

Charming Charlie is expected to vacate all stores by August 31.

Charlie Chanaratsopon has lived the American — and Houston — dream. In 2004, the young, always-dapper entrepreneur launched his colorful retail fashion store, Charming Charlie, with just one shop on Harwin Drive — and has since grown his operation to some 261 outlets nationwide.

His company landed on Forbes "Ones to Watch" list and made Inc. Magazine’s list of "Top 5,000 Fastest Growing Businesses." Chanaratsopon soon became a Houston tastemaker, a society sight-’em, and a local boy made good. Charming Charlie began to shine as brightly as its low-cost baubles.

On July 11, however, Charming Charlie (via Charming Charlie Holdings Inc.) filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware with plans for going-out-of-business sales at all 261 stores, according to Bloomberg. The store, specializing in clothing, jewelry, and accessories, has stopped taking orders online.

The liquidation will take approximately two months. The announcement affects more than 3,000 full-and-part-time employees across the country, all of whom could lose their jobs.

This is the second time the Houston-based company, known for its vibrant color themes and discount prices, has filed for bankruptcy. In December 2017, the company filed for bankruptcy protection, but bounced back after lowering the quality of its inventory and securing loans.

The Houston Business Journal reports that Charming Charlie is seeking court approval for $13 million of debtor-in-possession financing provided by White Oak Commercial Finance LLC and Second Avenue Capital Partners LLC. This move is expected to allow Charming Charlie to "complete the store closing sales in a manner that maximizes recoveries for the debtors’ estates and stakeholders," according to a court declaration by the company's chief financial officer, Alvaro Bellon. (Charming Charlie representatives did not respond to a CultureMap request for comment at press time.)

Now, with a reported debt of $82 million and massive liquidation sales planned, the retailer will reportedly vacate all shops on August 31 — a dark end for the shimmering, trinket-laden mecca.

closings

UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

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