Christopher & Banks

Christopher & Banks
	File:Christopher & Banks Logo.svg
	File:Christopher & Banks Southern Park Mall.jpg
Company type	Private
Industry	Retail
Founded	1956; 70 years ago
Founder	Gil Braun
Headquarters	Plymouth, Minnesota, United States
Number of locations	451 (February 2020); 5 (January 2022)
Products	Women's clothing
Owner	iMedia Brands, Inc. (2021–present);
Parent	IV Media, LLC (2023–present) (Innovation Ventures, LLC);
Divisions	CJ Banks (Plus Size)
Website	https://www.christopherandbanks.com/

Christopher & Banks, initially known as Brauns Fashions, is a retail firm based in the United States with its headquarters located in Plymouth, Minnesota. The company specializes in apparel designed for women between the ages of 40 and 60.

After experiencing financial difficulties linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, Christopher & Banks filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2021. Subsequently, iMedia Brands, Inc. acquired its assets and intellectual property.

On August 16, 2023, ownership transferred when IV Media, a branch of Innovation Ventures, LLC, purchased the brand for $55 million.

As of September 30, 2024, Christopher & Banks maintains an online presence alongside seven physical retail locations.

The company was established in Minneapolis in 1956 under the name Brauns Fashions. It became publicly traded in 1992 and adopted the Christopher & Banks name in 2000. To serve plus-size customers, it introduced the CJ Banks brand. In 2004, the acquisition of Acorn Stores expanded its retail portfolio; however, all Acorn outlets were shuttered by the close of 2008.

Starting in 2014, CJ Banks stores were gradually merged into Christopher & Banks locations to enhance product consistency and operational effectiveness.

The pandemic intensified existing financial strains leading to a bankruptcy filing in early 2021 and the closure of all stores. Many former sites were taken over by retailers such as Daily Thread.

Under new management by Minnesota-based iMedia Brands, Christopher & Banks reopened seven stores by late 2024 in cities including Ankeny (Iowa), Birch Run (Michigan), Branson (Missouri), Coon Rapids (Minnesota), Fort Wayne (Indiana), Omaha (Nebraska), and Wichita (Kansas).

Nonetheless, on June 28, 2023, iMedia Brands itself filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, marking the second bankruptcy event affecting Christopher & Banks within two years. In August 2023, IV Media acquired Christopher & Banks as part of iMedia’s asset sale for $55 million.

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