Charlotte Russe Is Teasing a Resurrection Less Than Two Weeks After Closing Stores

Photo: Charlotte Russe

It seems like only last month San Francisco-based Charlotte Russe announced that it was closing more than 400 stores, ceasing online sales, and calling it quits. Oh wait! That’s because it was last month. But— in a move that’s left newly unemployed Charlotte Russe staffers asking, “Seriously, WTF?”—the brand announced on its social channels last week that it’s “planning a brand new online shopping experience, as well as re-opening 100 retail locations across the US.”

What does that mean?

Similar to when Gildan purchased and relaunched American Apparel, the folks calling the shots at the old Charlotte Russe are not likely to be in charge at the new Charlotte Russe. (The first call-out in the announcement banner, after all, is “New Team.”) The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

“At the time of bankruptcy filing, the company planned to close only 94 of its 512 stores. But later, it sold rights to its inventory and other assets to a New York liquidation firm, SB360, for $59 million and began conducting “going out of business sales” at all its locations… In a separate deal announced two weeks ago, Charlotte Russe sold its brand and related intellectual property to Canadian retailer YM Inc.”

Rather than setting a definitive date for a comeback, the brand only promises that details are coming “soon.” While that’s too late for the Coachella crowd, and could rule out summer shopping altogether, you may not have to wait long for your next Charlotte Russe fix.