Pier 1 Imports closing stores in Alaska

It's an unfortunate replay for Alaska shoppers that yet another retailer is pulling out of the state.

When customers showed up at Pier 1 locations in Alaska Wednesday morning they found signs posted announcing the stores' closures and promoting ongoing sales.

The Pier 1 corporate office confirmed the closures with Channel 2 but would only provide a written statement, and did not provide further details, including how many stores will close nationwide.

The statement says, in part, "We have previously announced our decision to close 70 stores and that we expected that number could increase."

According to spokesperson Jennifer Reeder, as part of a strategic business decision, "our three stores in Alaska, including two in Anchorage, will be closing in early 2020, though exact timing will vary for each location."

The two stores in Anchorage, and one in Fairbanks, are currently holding store closing sales, which will continue, up until the doors are shuttered, sometime after the New Year.