Here is a list of stores that were given to an employee of Wal-Mart as a warning about buying gift cards from these stores. As we all know a lot of stores will be closing. Some of these stores will close altogether everywhere and others may close a store in your area making a gift card from that particular store difficult if not impossible to use. Take this information as a heads up and use it as you see fit. This was not given to the employee as a way of increasing sales of Wal-Mart gift cards though it could be construed that way. This list is not necessarily complete and you should check into the viability of the store or company before buying and giving a gift card during our financial uncertainties. I checked some of this info and found it legitimate but I don’t guarantee it is all accurate. Once again, you need to check yourself about the store you may buy a gift card from. From the list I was given the following information was included and I quote:

“Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards can be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as (Bankruptcy Planning).”

Circuit City (filed for chapter 11) – but it’s still open btw.

Ann Taylor 117 stores nationwide closing

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine’s to close 150 stores nationwide

Eddie Bauer to close 27 stores and more after January

Cache will close all stores

Talbot’s closing down specialty stores such as J. Jill (all stores), Pacific Sun wear (owned by Talbot’s) not all stores but shoes stores are listed. (NOT J. JILL I LOVE THT STORE – my husband will be thrilled. )

Gap closing 85 stores

Footlocker closing 140 stores and more after January

Wickes Furniture closing down

Levitz closing down remaining stores

Bombay closing remaining stores

Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January

Whitehall closing all stores

Piercing Pagoda closing all stores (with a name like that, no wonder)

Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January

Home Depot closing 15 stores

Macys to close 9 stores after January

Linens and Things closing all stores

Movie Galley closing all stores

Pep Boys closing 33 stores

Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores

JC Penney closing a number of stores after January

Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores

Wilson Leather closing down all stores

Sharper Image closing down all stores

KB Toys closing 356 stores

Lowes to close down some stores

Dillard’s to close some stores