2 Express Stores To Close In Illinois

ILLINOIS — Fashion retailer Express will close 31 stores by the end of the month, including two stores in Illinois, the company announced.

The retailer plans to close stores in 20 states, a move that follows the closure of nine locations in 2019, according to this week’s announcement. An additional 35 locations are expected to close by the end of January 2021, leaving a remaining 25 to shutter next year, Business Insider reports.

In Illinois, Express plans to close its Hawthorn Mall location in Vernon Hills and its River oaks Center Mall location in Calumet City.

Express has 20 locations in Illinois, including the two that are slated to close.

The closures are part of a new corporate strategy aimed at reducing costs and providing a boost to the struggling brand, according to a statement on the company’s website.

Express is one of several companies to announce closures this month. The well-known stationery store Papyrus is closing all of its stores across the country, including six in Illinois. Also this month, home decor retailer Pier 1 Imports said it plans to close nearly half of its stores, including 13 in Illinois, a move intended to "better align its business with the current operating environment."

Bed Bath & Beyond also announced three of its Illinois stores will close.