After 25 years in business, Francesca’s, the women’s clothing and jewelry retailer, is winding down its operations, leaving loyal shoppers in Orland Park and across Illinois searching for their favorite pieces one last time.
The Orland Park location, along with other Illinois stores in Lombard, Aurora, Naperville, Schaumburg, Geneva, Skokie, Algonquin, Springfield, Champaign, and two in Chicago, is in the process of liquidating inventory, according to industry reports. Shoppers have noticed discounts online and in-store, including 20 percent off sales.
Francesca’s first filed for bankruptcy in 2020, when the Houston-based company operated around 700 stores and announced plans to close 140 locations. Since its founding in 1999, Francesca’s expanded to more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, employing more than 3,400 people.
The company has not publicly confirmed the full closure, leaving the exact timing uncertain. Customers in Orland Park are visiting the store to take advantage of final sales, signaling the end of a familiar shopping destination in the area.