The Children’s Place files for bankruptcy, with hundreds of job losses in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – The Children’s Place and its related brand Gymboree have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with plans to close stores and a distribution center in Alabama.

The company has five stores in the state, including one at the Shoppes at EastChase in Montgomery.

In an announcement, The Children’s Place said, “The company has determined that certain store closures will be necessary during the chapter 11 process.”

Since then, banners on its website and Facebook page say “All stores closing” with all sales final. It is not known when the stores will close.

According to the Alabama Department of Workforce, the company will also be closing its distribution center in Fort Payne, with a loss of 593 jobs. It lists the planned starting date of January 5, 2027.

That is the largest loss of jobs this year, according to the Department of Workforce.

The Children’s Place was founded in Hartford, Connecticut in 1969. In 2019, it purchased the rights to the Gymboree brand.