This week Gap announced that it will close 175 underperforming U.S. locations, leaving some 500 regular Gap stores and 300 Gap Outlets across the country. No word yet on whether the closings will affect our area, where Gap and GapKids have a major presence at Westfield Montgomery Mall as well as a brand new location at Pike & Rose. Gap is one of several clothing retailers — including Aeropostale and Abercrombie & Fitch — that are closing stores even as they try to regain front-runner status with the fickle clothes-buying public. Several other chains, including Wet Seal and Caché, have gone out of business in recent months.
