Claire's history dates back to 1961. After becoming a mall staple in the '90s, the retailer has fallen on hard times and announced US store closures.

Mall-based teen retailer Claire’s, known for helping to usher teens into a key rite of passage _ ear piercing _ but now struggling with a big debt load and changing consumer tastes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The company has identified more than 1,300 stores that could close, including several in the Philadelphia region.