Bye-Bye, Bebe: The Retailer You Loved in the Early Aughts Is Closing Its Doors

Please prepare your inner teen for some sad news: Bebe, the once ubiquitous late ’90s, early ’00s mall favorite, is shutting down its retails stores after four years of financial losses, reports Bloomberg. But they’re not gone for good: The brand that gave us those ubiquitous bedazzled T-shirts and introduced many a teen to the concept of bodycon dresses is hoping to turn things around by focusing on online-only sales.

The retailer will try to close its brick-and-mortar locations without filing for bankruptcy, but a lot hinges on those mall landlords; Chapter 11 may become necessary if enough of them aren’t willing to negotiate leases. Stock of the San Francisco-based company, which was founded in 1976, has fallen more than 80 percent over the past two years, and last year, Bebe cut 45 jobs (14.6 percent of its workforce) at its headquarters in an attempt to cut costs, according to The Street. Just last month, the retailer announced that it would close 25 Bebe and Bebe Outlet stores in 2017, WWD reported. But now, all of the brand’s 170 boutique and outlet stores appear to be on their way out.

Bebe’s impending closure is just the latest in a string of mid-aughts mall haunts to say goodbye to brick-and-mortar stores or bid the world adieu completely. This year alone, The Limited (former home of the affordable power suit) and BCBG (former home of everyone’s favorite prom dress) shuttered their stores. Wet Seal, which had filed for bankruptcy two years ago, finally keeled over in January. Then, of course, there were the American Apparel closures that traumatized T-shirt and hoodie wearers everywhere.

But Bebe lovers, take heart. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can always shop “vintage” Kardashian X Bebe on eBay to remind yourself where you (and Kim K.) came from.

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