No squashing these bugs

The hot spring styles for clothes will continue to be available in Culpeper and Warrenton. Neither town's Fashion Bug store will be part of the 100 stores to be closed by Charming Shoppes Inc.

Charming Shoppes announced in February it planned to close 150 of its 2,453 retail stores in 48 states because of underperformance, including 100 Fashion Bug stores. Charming Shoppes also operates Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug Plus, Catherines Plus Sizes, Petite Sophisticate, Lane Bryant Outlet and Petite Sophisticate Outlet.

According to Culpeper Fashion Bug assistant manager Stephanie Besley, the Culpeper store is not one of the stores closing.
Warrenton store manager Kay Marshall could only comment that "at this time, we're not closing."

The Star-Exponent sent a media request to Charming Shoppes Inc. corporate office but had not received a reply by Friday afternoon.

Charming Shoppes also eliminated 13 percent of its corporate and field management positions as of Jan. 31 and relocated its Catherines home operations to Bensalem, Pa.

"These were difficult, but necessary actions and we are confident that by streamlining our operations, realigning field management structure, and reducing the number of positions at our corporate headquarters, we will further strengthen Charming Shoppes' operational and financial performance," Dorrit J. Bern, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Charming Shoppes said in a press release.

Culpeper's store is located in Dominion Square and the Warrenton store is at 143 W. Lee Highway.

Jeff Say can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 115 or .

Area Fashion Bug stores
Culpeper, Dominion Square - 825-2191
Warrenton, 143 W. Lee Highway - 347-3335