8 ON YOUR SIDE: A national retail chain with locations in Montgomery and elsewhere in our area is filing for bankruptcy protection for a second time.

Claire’s is a jewelry and accessory chain that targets young customers. It has long been a familiar store in shopping malls, offering ear piercing and other items and services.

Claire’s has been in business for 64 years but has been coping with new competition, especially from online stores.

Debt has gone up — and so has uncertainty over tariffs.

Claire’s first filed for bankruptcy in 2018, when it had more than 4,500 stores. That number is now down to about 2,700.

In Montgomery, Claire’s has stores at EastChase, Eastdale Mall and inside the Ann Street Walmart.

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