Weeks after the closing of Talbots at Westfield Montgomery mall, sister stores Ann Taylor and Soma have unexpectedly followed suit. Ann Taylor, which always appeared busy, will close this weekend after more than two decades at the mall. Soma went dark this week. The simultaneous closings are no coincidence: All three chains are owned by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm that’s been buying up major retailers and closing a bunch of locations. At Westfield Montgomery, managers of all three stores told us that sales had been relatively strong and the sudden closings came as a shock. The nearest Ann Taylor is now a Factory store on Rockville Pike, which replaced Lane Bryant last winter.
Unknown
Thank you for latest update on closings at Mont Mall. I beg to differ on ownership of Soma, that is big money maker for Chico’s.
Store Reporter
That is correct. Soma, Chico’s and White House Black Market are sister companies under the umbrella of Chico’s FAS. In January 2024, Chico’s FAS was acquired by Sycamore Partners. See our story here: https://www.storereporter.com/ann-taylor-factory-opens-former-lane-bryant-space-rockville/
White House Black Market still has a store at Westfield Montgomery mall. Managers at the Ann Taylor and Soma told Store Reporter they believe White House Black Market will remain open at that location. But at this point, all bets are off.