Childrens Place to give back Disney Stores!!

[DisneyDeeva]

That is exactly what I will do! I hope and pray our little Disney Store in Peoria Illinois will be one of the 2/3rds going back to Disney! I always talk to the employees at our local stores and they miss the perks. I was planning on working at the store when my daughter goes to Kindergarten anyway but the perks would be an awesome bonus and I would be happy to see the employees regain them.

I always stop in at the Northwoods store when I'm in town. I live in the Quad Cities but am originally from the Peoria area and still have family there. I absolutely refuse to give the store in Davenport any of my money. I still have very hard feelings about the manager there (she came in after TCP purchase) and how I was treated when I was a CM.

 

[lilo62]

Oh, I really hope the Disney Stores will become something more than a place for kids stuff.
I hope they'll bring back the art and collectibles and watches and... All the adult stuff

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[PuddyKronk]

Hi everyone! Was with TDS back in the Disney days, and stuck it through the TCP days, and am thrilled to be going HOME! It's always been about the people and the magic that has kept me going. If you are a TDS guest, please continue your support of the stores, keep shopping and help us get back to the level of quality that you expect from us. One aside: I've read many posts longing for the return of Adult wear, of housewares, of watches, etc. And while I agree that these have been lacking, PRE-TCP the guest would not buy anything adult unless it went onsale. I've been there, I've seen it. If guests want the return of this merchandise, they need to support it at full price, because if not, it will be seen as a low margin item and not profitable. Bottom line, Can't wait to come home, and show my current CM's what it's like to TRULY be a Disney Store!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Hi everyone! Was with TDS back in the Disney days, and stuck it through the TCP days, and am thrilled to be going HOME! It's always been about the people and the magic that has kept me going. If you are a TDS guest, please continue your support of the stores, keep shopping and help us get back to the level of quality that you expect from us. One aside: I've read many posts longing for the return of Adult wear, of housewares, of watches, etc. And while I agree that these have been lacking, PRE-TCP the guest would not buy anything adult unless it went onsale. I've been there, I've seen it. If guests want the return of this merchandise, they need to support it at full price, because if not, it will be seen as a low margin item and not profitable. Bottom line, Can't wait to come home, and show my current CM's what it's like to TRULY be a Disney Store!

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!!!!

It's important for guests to buy the merchandise at full price in order for the company to still carry it. It will be interesting to see what happens with collectibles!!!!!

 

[Colson39]

Ex-TDS employee here. I worked there about 10-11 years ago, back in the glory days (although back when we had to wear those horrible sweaters). I helped open the store in the Pembroke Lakes Mall in South Florida. I'll never forget, we were there to see the building of the store, and were there when there was nothing in it. And they had like 5 huge trucks pull up to the back and we had to unload everything.

I worked there for almost 2 years (pre-career), and I have to admit, those were two years of a heck of a lot of fun. Somehow I maneuvered myself into mainly working the register, which I absolutely loved (I can't stand folding stuff). Had so many great interactions with guests, it really was tons of fun.

And yea, being able to get into Disney for free, and get half off on resort rooms was great as well

 

[diznycrazed]

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!!!!

It's important for guests to buy the merchandise at full price in order for the company to still carry it. It will be interesting to see what happens with collectibles!!!!!

Sorry, but I don't pay full price for anything. Even at the big box stores ie Macys, I wait for the sales, min of 25% off.

Terry

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Sorry, but I don't pay full price for anything. Even at the big box stores ie Macys, I wait for the sales, min of 25% off.

Terry

I personally don't like to pay full price for anything either, however if some people don't do it, the company will stop carrying that product. Why should a business carry something that doesn't sell? I'll be perfectly honest with you, I do the buying for a gift shop. If something doesn't sell at the current selling price, then it doesn't get reordered to be put on sale. It's just the nature of the business. I truly believe that that is part of the reason why the stores stopped carrying collectables. They are fun to look at, but how many people have actually purchased a collectable from the Stores (when they did carry them)? I purchased one cel and one WDCC piece (granted I was in a college at the time so I didn't have that much extra spare cash), but truly how many collectables were sold?

I would love for Disney to bring back the collectables, however I don't know how much they would profit from it. I'll guess we'll all just have to wait and see!

 

[madaboutMickey]

Does any one remember when TDS only had 2 sales a year? Peolpe used to be waiting outsides the gate for us to open. Don't see those days any more,

 

[DisneyDeeva]

BREAKING NEWS!!
This just out...


***************
Disney is taking over on May 1st, 2008. On Monday the Disney Stores
that are closing will be announced.

Here is the latest news:

*Hoop Holdings, LLC and Its Subsidiaries D/B/A Disney Store North
America Pursuing Transfer of Substantial Portion of Disney Store Business to
The Walt Disney Company Under Chapter 11 Case

Chapter 11 Filing Does Not Apply to Parent Company, The Children's
Place Retail Stores, Inc.*
SECAUCUS, N.J., March 26, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Children's Place
Retail Stores, Inc. (NasdaqLCE), today provided an update on its
plans to exit the Disney Store North America ("DSNA") business in order to
focus on its core namesake brand. The Company conducts the DSNA
business through its subsidiary Hoop Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries
("Hoop") under a license agreement with The Walt Disney Company.
As previously announced on March 20, 2008, The Children's Place Retail
Stores, Inc. ("the Company") decided to exit the DSNA business as part
of the Company's review of strategic alternatives. As part of the
review, the current management team determined that the license agreement,
originated in 2004, requires substantial investments that are not
expected to deliver economic returns. The Company also took into account the
losses incurred by DSNA's operations, DSNA's current earnings prospects
as a licensee, and the restrictions imposed by the license agreement
on the sale of the business to a party other than The Walt Disney
Company. It was therefore concluded that the Company will be in a better
position to maximize value by focusing on its namesake Children's Place
brand. Importantly, this action is only one component of a broader
strategy to maximize shareholder value. As announced last week, the management
team is undertaking a number of initiatives to reduce expenses, strea
mline operations, and lower inventories and capital expenditures.
Also, as previously announced, the Company and Hoop have been engaged
in advanced negotiations concerning the transfer of a substantial
portion of the DSNA business to The Walt Disney Company. In connection with
these negotiations, Hoop's Board of Directors has determined that with
limited strategic and financial options available under the license
agreement, Hoop's only alternative was to file bankruptcy proceedings.
In a separate press release today, Hoop announced that it commenced a
Chapter 11 case for the reasons described above. It also intends to
pursue the transfer of a substantial portion of the DSNA business to an
affiliate of The Walt Disney Company in order to maximize proceeds
available to its stakeholders. By filing such a case, Hoop also expects to
complete an orderly wind-down of the rest of its affairs. The transaction
under negotiation is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions,
including approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and is targeted for
completion by April 30, 2008. In the event that the transaction as agreed
to by the parties is approved by the Court, the Company would be
released from any liabilities and all claims that have been or might be
asserted by The Walt Disney Company. The Company continues to expect the
pre-tax cash costs to exit the DSNA business to be within the previously
stated range of $50 million to $100 million, payable over a period of
time.
Neither Hoop's parent company, The Children's Place Retail Stores,
Inc., nor any of its other subsidiaries, filed for bankruptcy.
Chuck Crovitz, Interim Chief Executive Officer of The Children's Place
Retail Stores, Inc., stated, "This exit strategy is consistent with the
corporate actions and strategic priorities we outlined last week. This
will enable the Company to transition away from the Disney Store
business in an orderly and expeditious manner so that we can concentrate
exclusively on The Children's Place, our core brand and business. We have
the utmost respect for the Disney Store brand, however, the cost of
running the Disney Store was no longer an acceptable use of Company's
resources. We were left with no other choice but to find a reasonable way
to exit the operations within the confines of the existing license
agreement."
"We believe this is the right decision for The Children's Place and its
shareholders as we move forward with our plans to strengthen
operations, a process which is well underway. We are pleased with recent sales
trends in the core business and continue to believe that The Children's
Place brand is strong and well-positioned for the future."
As previously disclosed, the Company has been conducting an ongoing
review of strategic and financial alternatives to accelerate improvement
of The Children's Place business and deliver enhanced shareholder value.
The management team has outlined a number of specific initiatives
including reducing expenses and streamlining operations and is also seeking
additional funding to strengthen its capital position. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain such funding. As the
Company's review is ongoing, management will continue to provide
updates and report on progress throughout 2008.
The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. will host a conference call to
discuss this announcement tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.
Interested parties are invited to listen to the call by dialing
800-895-0198 and providing the Conference ID, PLCE. The call will also be webcast
live and can be accessed via the Company's web site,
The Children's Place. A replay of the call will be available approximately one hour
after the conclusion of the call, until midnight on April 2, 2008. To
access the replay, please dial 800-688-9445, or you may listen to the
audio archive on the Company's website, The Children's Place.
***************

 

[fairygodmother29577]

What I'm about to say, I truly don't mean it in a disrespectful way, but I do feel like I need to respond to these comments.

If the only reason you want to work at the Disney Store is because of the Disney perks, you won't be working there for the right reason. I was with the stores before the sale and I'm still with the stores now. I'm not there because of the perks, not even for the pay (which isn't that great), but I'm there because of the feeling I get when I can make it a magical experience for our guests. I love the looks on the children's faces when they see Mickey hanging from the ceiling. I love the way some adults act like kids in the store and I just love talking to guests about anything and everything Disney.

The sale of the stores nearly ripped us apart (emotionally it was horrible, we lost so many long-time CMs) but we survived. We've made it through the last four years together - still spreading the Disney magic while not getting anything by the way of perks back for it. We've done it because we love it. We do it for the guests and for each other.

Since the news broke on Thursday, I can't tell you how many threads I have read where people are all gung-ho to get jobs at the stores to get the perks. In a way, it really upsets me because if we weren't good enough before there was the chance we would get the perks back, why are we now?

Once again, I truly don't mean any disrespect to anybody on this thread or on the boards at all, but this has really been bothering me the last couple of days. If you want to join the Disney Store cast, just make sure you're in it for the long-haul. It's sort of like a marriage, you have to be there through the good and the bad.

Wow you said it all! I came to Disney Store during the TCP time. Myself and our managment team had the privilage of being trained by Pre TCP Store managers. I have to say we are not in it for the perks, we are here because we love it, because it is Disney, it has History. Guests walk into our stores and they feel the magic, it is all in the smile and way you greet the guests, they are truely welcome into out "home". It will be nice to actually work for Disney, for us it will be like an adopted child finally finding their birth parents. I wish all the Disney Store CM best of luck and my prayers go out to those CM's who stores they will close.

 

[madaboutMickey]

Yes, Hoop filed for Chapter 11 yesterday.

 

[fairygodmother29577]

BREAKING NEWS!!
This just out...


***************
Disney is taking over on May 1st, 2008. On Monday the Disney Stores
that are closing will be announced.

Here is the latest news:

*Hoop Holdings, LLC and Its Subsidiaries D/B/A Disney Store North
America Pursuing Transfer of Substantial Portion of Disney Store Business to
The Walt Disney Company Under Chapter 11 Case

Chapter 11 Filing Does Not Apply to Parent Company, The Children's
Place Retail Stores, Inc.*
SECAUCUS, N.J., March 26, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Children's Place
Retail Stores, Inc. (NasdaqLCE), today provided an update on its
plans to exit the Disney Store North America ("DSNA") business in order to
focus on its core namesake brand. The Company conducts the DSNA
business through its subsidiary Hoop Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries
("Hoop") under a license agreement with The Walt Disney Company.
As previously announced on March 20, 2008, The Children's Place Retail
Stores, Inc. ("the Company") decided to exit the DSNA business as part
of the Company's review of strategic alternatives. As part of the
review, the current management team determined that the license agreement,
originated in 2004, requires substantial investments that are not
expected to deliver economic returns. The Company also took into account the
losses incurred by DSNA's operations, DSNA's current earnings prospects
as a licensee, and the restrictions imposed by the license agreement
on the sale of the business to a party other than The Walt Disney
Company. It was therefore concluded that the Company will be in a better
position to maximize value by focusing on its namesake Children's Place
brand. Importantly, this action is only one component of a broader
strategy to maximize shareholder value. As announced last week, the management
team is undertaking a number of initiatives to reduce expenses, strea
mline operations, and lower inventories and capital expenditures.
Also, as previously announced, the Company and Hoop have been engaged
in advanced negotiations concerning the transfer of a substantial
portion of the DSNA business to The Walt Disney Company. In connection with
these negotiations, Hoop's Board of Directors has determined that with
limited strategic and financial options available under the license
agreement, Hoop's only alternative was to file bankruptcy proceedings.
In a separate press release today, Hoop announced that it commenced a
Chapter 11 case for the reasons described above. It also intends to
pursue the transfer of a substantial portion of the DSNA business to an
affiliate of The Walt Disney Company in order to maximize proceeds
available to its stakeholders. By filing such a case, Hoop also expects to
complete an orderly wind-down of the rest of its affairs. The transaction
under negotiation is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions,
including approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and is targeted for
completion by April 30, 2008. In the event that the transaction as agreed
to by the parties is approved by the Court, the Company would be
released from any liabilities and all claims that have been or might be
asserted by The Walt Disney Company. The Company continues to expect the
pre-tax cash costs to exit the DSNA business to be within the previously
stated range of $50 million to $100 million, payable over a period of
time.
Neither Hoop's parent company, The Children's Place Retail Stores,
Inc., nor any of its other subsidiaries, filed for bankruptcy.
Chuck Crovitz, Interim Chief Executive Officer of The Children's Place
Retail Stores, Inc., stated, "This exit strategy is consistent with the
corporate actions and strategic priorities we outlined last week. This
will enable the Company to transition away from the Disney Store
business in an orderly and expeditious manner so that we can concentrate
exclusively on The Children's Place, our core brand and business. We have
the utmost respect for the Disney Store brand, however, the cost of
running the Disney Store was no longer an acceptable use of Company's
resources. We were left with no other choice but to find a reasonable way
to exit the operations within the confines of the existing license
agreement."
"We believe this is the right decision for The Children's Place and its
shareholders as we move forward with our plans to strengthen
operations, a process which is well underway. We are pleased with recent sales
trends in the core business and continue to believe that The Children's
Place brand is strong and well-positioned for the future."
As previously disclosed, the Company has been conducting an ongoing
review of strategic and financial alternatives to accelerate improvement
of The Children's Place business and deliver enhanced shareholder value.
The management team has outlined a number of specific initiatives
including reducing expenses and streamlining operations and is also seeking
additional funding to strengthen its capital position. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain such funding. As the
Company's review is ongoing, management will continue to provide
updates and report on progress throughout 2008.
The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. will host a conference call to
discuss this announcement tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.
Interested parties are invited to listen to the call by dialing
800-895-0198 and providing the Conference ID, PLCE. The call will also be webcast
live and can be accessed via the Company's web site,
The Children's Place. A replay of the call will be available approximately one hour
after the conclusion of the call, until midnight on April 2, 2008. To
access the replay, please dial 800-688-9445, or you may listen to the
audio archive on the Company's website, The Children's Place.
***************

Do you know this forsure? I just left my DM and there was no news as to when the announcments of store closings will be. As far as we have been told it is still not completely determined which store will stay and which will go. I realize we all want to know, it is bitter sweet we want to go "Home" although we don't want to be one of the stores they are closing. I can say that for every Disney Store out here it is business as always, providing the guest service that is expected.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Wow you said it all! I came to Disney Store during the TCP time. Myself and our managment team had the privilage of being trained by Pre TCP Store managers. I have to say we are not in it for the perks, we are here because we love it, because it is Disney, it has History. Guests walk into our stores and they feel the magic, it is all in the smile and way you greet the guests, they are truely welcome into out "home". It will be nice to actually work for Disney, for us it will be like an adopted child finally finding their birth parents. I wish all the Disney Store CM best of luck and my prayers go out to those CM's who stores they will close.

Thank you!!!!

I was just talking to my DBF and he said to me that I'm going to be stressed out until the announcement is made...and I said that I'm already stressed out!

Hugs to all of my fellow Disney Store CMs who are just as stressed out as I am!

Thank you for the kind words!

 

[Violet Crayon]

This could either be really good for the people I care about at my store, or really bad, and it's hard to have any definite feeling right now. Disney stepping in is not as cheerful when there are two stores in your city.

 

[ranidayz]

I will probably not have the popular opinion here, but.....


When my boys were little in the mid-90s, I could not afford to get them anything from the Disney Store....it was so expensive, I mean, really so expensive.

I have a daughter that is four now and she has had a life filled with Disney because it's been so affordable in recent years. I know some people will chime in about quality, but nothing of ours has broken at all!

Now I am a little stressed to think about our one store in the area closing --- anyone out there heard any rumors about the Gaithersburg, MD store? I think I would just stop going to the mall if it closed.....

Thanks for all the info on this board!

Ranidayz

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I will probably not have the popular opinion here, but.....


When my boys were little in the mid-90s, I could not afford to get them anything from the Disney Store....it was so expensive, I mean, really so expensive.

I have a daughter that is four now and she has had a life filled with Disney because it's been so affordable in recent years. I know some people will chime in about quality, but nothing of ours has broken at all!

Now I am a little stressed to think about our one store in the area closing --- anyone out there heard any rumors about the Gaithersburg, MD store? I think I would just stop going to the mall if it closed.....

Thanks for all the info on this board!

Ranidayz

You said nothing wrong in your post. I"m glad that your daughter has been able to have her life filled with Disney! You are the kind of guest I love! Your post brought a smile to my face!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

This could either be really good for the people I care about at my store, or really bad, and it's hard to have any definite feeling right now. Disney stepping in is not as cheerful when there are two stores in your city.

Do you know this forsure? I just left my DM and there was no news as to when the announcments of store closings will be. As far as we have been told it is still not completely determined which store will stay and which will go. I realize we all want to know, it is bitter sweet we want to go "Home" although we don't want to be one of the stores they are closing. I can say that for every Disney Store out here it is business as always, providing the guest service that is expected.

All I can say is hugs to you both and hugs to your entire Cast at your stores.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Oh, I so hope my local Disney Store does not close. I have always loved that store. I'm thrilled Disney will regain control of the stores, but I'm nervous mine will be on the chopping block. Not only will it be sad for Detroit Disney lovers but for the Disney Store CMs. Our economy is so bad, the thought of more good people possibly losing their jobs is just terrible.

<Crossing my fingers for them>

 

[zippy doo dah]

Thanks for the info here...I have actually been keeping up on this here and in my newspaper b/c I have anxiously been awaiting the return of TDS to Disney b/c like so many, I miss the quailty of what TDS used to be. So just to give a quick update, here's what was in this today's paper...


N.J. retail operator giving back stores


The Children's Place Retail Stores Inc., which is based in Secaucus and temporarily still operates the Disney Store chain, said Thursday that its return of more than 200 stores to the Walt Disney Co. couls be completer by May if its restructuring plan is accepted by a bankruptcy judge.
The remaining 100-plus Disney Stores in North America would be closed, said interin CEO Chuck Crovitz.
His comments came less than a day after the Children's Place subsidiary filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.


Asbury Park Press


Now I'm a little nervous...I have 3 stores close to me (1 is in the midst of a move to a new location, so it's currently "closed") and I visit each one b/c they each have things that the other doesn't, so I am hoping that none of them close. However, the possibility that one will remain closed, instead of being reloctated and renovated, in light of this new information.

 

[dizriz]

opps wrong thread!!!