Local Fashion Bugs closing by the end of the month Elizabethtown, KY- Fashion Bug of Elizabethtown has rolled up the red carpet for the last time during the past couple of weeks. The Hardin County location closed in what was apparently a nationwide decision by Ascena Retail Group, Inc., who owns the Fashion Bug retail chain. In fact, the company operated around 600 Fashion Bug stores in 43 states, of which 124 of those closed in 2011, while hundreds of others went to the chopping block the following year. Locally, the Elizabethtown location closed in the second week of the year, and the Louisville stores will be closed by the end of the month. It is not known exactly how many Fashion Bug employees will be affected nationwide. Many Fashion Bug employees in the Bluegrass region were affected by the recent layoffs, including former Elizabethtown Fashion Bug Manager Breanna Sweet. Sweet, who had been employed by the company for the past five years, reflected on "the opportunities the company has given me, and the amazing people I've met through this place in the last five years." Many of Sweet's coworkers expressed their sadness of the closing of their store. Likewise, many Fashion Bug patrons were disappointed in the closing of one of their favorite retail outlets. On the company's Facebook page, patrons from all over the nation have left comments expressing their disappointment. Consumer Nena M. wonders who will now carry Fashion Bug's signature Zana Di jeans. Other patrons debated if they would continue to shop at Fashion Bug's sister chains such as Catherine's or Lane Bryant. However, there have been reports that Lane Bryant too may disappear from the retail landscape forever. The Elizabethtown area has seen the addition of many new retail outlets in the past couple of years, such as Belk and Ross Dress for Less, that may help ease local consumer's worries. Regardless of the closing of the Fashion Bug locations, the stock for Ascena Retail Group doesn't seem to be improving. As of this publication, the stock dropped by 1.13%, from $16.79 to $16.60 per share. It doesn't really seem that the closing of Fashion Bug has either alarmed or assured investors at this point; the stocks for Ascena have been shifty for most of the month. However, patrons nationwide can enjoy the clearance sales just a little while longer- Fashion Bug's website is advertising sales in their clearance section up to 70% off, items such as apparel, shoes and accessories, and jewelry. Most of the brands available are from Lane Bryant.