Express Clothing Chain To Close 5 FL Stores Amid Bankruptcy Filing

FLORIDA — Fashion retailer Express filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, and five Florida stores are among the nearly 100 that will be closed as a result, according to a report by The Hill.

As part of a restructuring process that aims to strengthen its business, the company announced that it intends to close about 95 Express stores, with closing sales at affected stores already beginning.

The Florida Express stores set to close, according to the bankruptcy filing, are:

• Tampa: 8021 Citrus Park
• Clearwater: 27001 US Highway 19 N.
• Miami: 401 Biscayne Blvd.
• Aventura: 19501 Biscayne Blvd.
• Miami Beach: 904 Lincoln Road

Shoppers can still visit the Express stores at International Plaza in Tampa, plus shops in Sarasota, Brandon, Fort Myers, Orlando, Jacksonville and elsewhere in Miami, among other locations.

Operations will continue as usual at stores that will remain open, according to the company.

"We continue to make meaningful progress refining our product assortments, driving demand, connecting with customers and strengthening our operations," Stewart Glendinning, the chief executive officer of Express, Inc., wrote in a news release Monday. "We are taking an important step that will strengthen our financial position and enable Express to continue advancing our business initiatives."