Two Lafayette Stage Stores to Close in Early 2020

The downswing of brick and mortar chain retail stores continues in the Hub City as two Stage stores in Lafayette will close in January 2020, according to a company spokesperson.

The two stores closing are located at 4407 Ambassador Caffery Parkway and 537 Bertrand Drive. Spokeswoman Blakeley Graham said the stores will start their going-out-of-business sales earlier to help employees transition and give customers access to more discounted merchandise.

"As is common practice in the retail industry, Stage Stores reviews its store fleet on a regular basis and exits underperforming locations," she said. "All associates will be offered positions at other Stage stores, or they will have the option to take a severance package when the store closes."

The move comes after Stage posted a $7.8 million net loss in the fourth quarter with net sales at $520 million, whereas a year ago they were at $549 million.

Stage Stores president and CEO Michael Glazer said earlier this month that the brand would close 40 to 60 underperforming stores and convert 30 to 40 stores into Gordmans stores, an off-price store chain Stage purchased back in 2017.

It is unclear yet if either of the Lafayette stores will be converted to a Gordmans.

This is not the end of Stage in Acadiana as they still have stores in Abbeville, Crowley, Eunice, New Iberia and Opelousas.