Clothing store Express files for bankruptcy, will close Florida stores

Ohio-based mall mainstay Express Inc. has filed for bankruptcy and is closing nearly 100 stores nationwide, including several locations in Florida, and says more store closings may follow.

The Columbus retailer announced Monday it had filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware citing in court papers “a challenging commercial environment brought on by both broader economic and retail-specific market pressures.

The company also announced in a statement that an offer had been made on some of its assets.