As many as 950 Claire's locations are set to remain open as private equity firm Ames Watson officially announced its $140 million takeover of the mall chain, according to a firm involved in the transaction.

RCS Real Estate Advisors finalized lease agreements with store landlords to keep more than 800 locations in operation, adding it could reach agreements on up to 950 stores, the firm said in a Sept. 19 news release provided to USA TODAY.

The news comes as Ames Watson officially announced its $140 million acquisition of Claire's, an increase from the $104 million valuation reported in August. Claire's filed for bankruptcy that month, its second bankruptcy filling in seven years.

Ames Watson said Sept. 19 it would be leading Claire's with a "smaller but stronger footprint," furthe

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