The Maurices store at Macedonia Commons, located at 8210 Macedonia Commons Blvd., closed permanently on April 18 as the Duluth, Minnesota-based women’s clothing chain winds down its U.S. retail operations. The store’s team marked the final day with a heartfelt farewell to customers on Facebook, writing that they had loved “styling you, connecting through Facebook, and creating lasting relationships.”
For Macedonia shoppers who relied on the store for affordable everyday fashion, the closure marks the end of an era — and part of a much larger national retail story.
A Brand With Deep Roots
Maurices was founded in 1931 in Duluth, Minnesota, and grew to more than 1,000 stores in the United States and Canada, primarily located in shopping malls and smaller towns. The chain targeted women aged 25 to 45 with value apparel and accessories and was positioned as a “hometown retailer,” with nearly 70% of its stores in small towns where it maintained high brand recognition.
That small-town identity made it a fixture in communities like Macedonia for decades. It offered an accessible alternative to big-city department stores, with a welcoming atmosphere and a wide range of sizes from 2 to 24.
Years of Financial Trouble
The closure did not come as a surprise to retail industry watchers. Maurices’ situation reflects broader turmoil in the women’s apparel industry. What might be called “middle-of-the-road” or “mainstream” apparel retailers, even those with long histories of success, have seen their sales unravel in recent years.
As with many legacy retailers, Maurices had seen stagnant sales for several years and had been shutting stores and shedding jobs as part of earlier corporate restructuring efforts. Of the brands under its former parent company Ascena Retail Group, Maurices performed the worst, with sales falling 12% in one quarter compared to the prior year.
In 2019, Ascena sold a majority stake in Maurices to London-based private equity firm OpCapita for approximately $300 million. Since that investment, OpCapita reported returning store sales to growth, growing online sales by nearly 100%, and more than doubling company EBITDA. Those gains, however, were not enough to sustain the brand long-term against mounting competitive pressures.
Fast Fashion Proved Too Fast
A significant disruption to mainstream apparel retailers has been the rise of overseas-based fast-fashion giants including Shein, Temu, Zara, and H&M in the U.S. market. These brands are able to take runway looks and replicate them at bargain prices, turning around new designs in as little as two weeks.
That speed put traditional retailers at a severe disadvantage. Traditional apparel brands like Maurices still plan, source, and buy products months in advance — meaning new designs won’t be in demand or differentiated once they hit the shelves at a local mall six to seven months later.
The competitive gap proved insurmountable. Retailers in that middle-of-the-road apparel group have struggled to differentiate themselves, competing against big box stores and online retailers that offer similar T-shirts, denim, and leggings at lower price points.
Part of a Broader Retail Wave
Maurices is far from alone. Roughly 7,900 U.S. stores are expected to close in 2026, according to CNBC, with more than 1,200 closures already publicly announced. Store closures have impacted shopping centers and malls nationwide, especially in regions with high operating costs or overlapping locations.
Maurices had already begun closing notable locations, including its store at the Mall of America, with liquidation sales offering up to 70% off merchandise. Other women’s apparel chains have faced similar fates. Christopher & Banks, another Minnesota-based women’s apparel chain, filed for bankruptcy in January 2021 and closed approximately 400 stores. Ann Taylor, J. Crew, and Gap have also wrestled with declining sales and financial instability.
Analysts note that the brick-and-mortar retail sector has been suffering for years, and additional closures are expected throughout 2026 as companies reassess leases and performance.
A Nearby Option Remains
Shoppers looking for a nearby alternative have one option still open locally. A sign posted in the Macedonia Commons store window directs customers to the Maurices at Stow Community Center, located at 4256 Kent Road in Stow. That location can be reached at 330-686-7905. Shoppers may also continue to browse and purchase at maurices.com.
Those wishing to use remaining gift cards or loyalty rewards should do so soon, as terms can change during liquidation proceedings.
