Former type Private Defunct March 30, 2015 Website www.debshops.com Founded 1932 | Industry Apparel, Retail Products Clothing, Accessories Ceased operations March 30, 2015 Number of employees 2,600 | |
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Founder Philip Rounick and Aaron Weiner Headquarters Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States CEO Dawn Robertson (Jul 2013–) | ||
Deb shops going out of business plus size fashion
Deb Shops is a catalog and online retailer, formerly a specialty retail chain store in the United States that sold women's clothing and accessories under its own private labels as well as other labels. The company was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and principally served junior and plus-sized women in their early teens through their late twenties. At its peak, Deb Shops operated 337 stores across 42 states. They have moved to become exclusively a plus-size store.
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History
The company was founded by Philip Rounick and Aaron Weiner, who opened their first store under the name JOY Hosiery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1932. JOY Hosiery initially sold reasonably priced hosiery, lingerie, and foundations in a wide variety of styles. In 1939, it added nylon stockings to its inventory when those became available.
The company expanded in the Philadelphia area in the 1950s. Company Co-Founder Philip Rounick's son, Marvin Rounick, became more involved in the management of the company joining in 1961. Co-Founder Aaron Weiner's son, Warren Weiner, followed suit in 1965. During this time, the company observed the new phenomenon of suburban growth and construction of shopping malls. They responded by opening stores in several locations making them larger and offering more merchandise.
In the 1970s, Marvin Rounick and Warren Weiner closed most of the neighborhood stores and focused on opening larger stores in shopping malls. The chain was also renamed Deb Shops and re-focused on women's and girls' clothing.
The company was listed on the NASDAQ Exchange under the ticker symbol DEBS. However, it was removed from the exchange after being acquired in 2007 by the investment firm of Lee Equity Partners for $395 million, or $28.45 per share.
The company parent DSI Holdings filed for bankruptcy on June 27, 2011. The company filed for bankruptcy again on December 4, 2014. On January 7, 2015, they announced that they will close all 295 stores. The final sales occurred on March 30, 2015. As of September 2015, the company returned as an online-only retailer selling plus-size clothing.