Gadzooks (retailer)

Gadzooks, Inc. was a mall-based teenage clothing retailer. It was acquired by Forever 21 in 2005 and then shut down.

Gadzooks, Inc.
Industryretail 
FateAcquired by Forever 21 and shut down
Founded1983 (1983)
FounderJerry Szczepanski
Larry Titus
DefunctMarch 17, 2005 (2005-03-17)
HeadquartersCarrollton, Texas

The company logo included the Volkswagen Beetle and all stores had a life-size version of part of a Beetle inside.

History

The company was founded in 1983 as a T-shirt business by Jerry Szczepanski and Larry Titus.[1] The first store was in Mesquite, Texas.[2]

By 1992, the company had 33 stores in Texas.[2]

In 1995, the company became a public company via an initial public offering and within 3 months, the share price quadrupled from $15 to $61.[2] That year the company had 195 stores.[3]

In 2003, the company dropped its male clothing line to focus exclusively on 16- to 22-year-old females.[4]

In February 2004, the company filed bankruptcy and announced plans to reduce its store count from 410 to 252.[5]

In March 2005, Forever 21 purchased the chain for $33 million.[6]

The stores were eventually phased out.[1]

References
  1. Starkey, Ted (May 15, 2018). "U.S. chains that no longer exist". Newsday.
  2. HOLLANDSWORTH, SKIP (June 1999). "It's Like, You Know". Texas Monthly.
  3. Lewis, Casey (August 27, 2014). "Where Are They Now: The Great Suburban Mall Store Demise". Vox Media.
  4. "Gadzooks to sell only women's clothing". American City Business Journals. Dallas Business Journal. January 9, 2003.
  5. "Gadzooks files for bankruptcy protection". American City Business Journals. St. Louis Business Journal. February 3, 2004.
  6. "Forever 21 wraps up Gadzooks deal". American City Business Journals. Dallas Business Journal. March 17, 2005.
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